Cinderella Man

Russell Crowe
Renee Zellweger
Paul Giammatti
Craig Bierko

Directed by: Ron Howard

Plot: The story of World Heavyweight champ James J. Braddock. Cinderella Man follows his rise trough the heavyweight ranks, his fall from the boxing ring, scraping by and trying to survive during the depression, and his eventual rise to world heavyweight champion of the world.

Review: The first thing to say about Cinderella Man is be prepared to run a rollercoaster of emotions. Very much like it’s legendary predecessor, Rocky, this movie captures the fighting spirit of it’s main character, so much so that you feel like you have something invested in the man you are watching on screen. You feel the agony in his defeat and the rush of adrenaline when he finally wins the title. This movie is more though. Cinderella Man is about the struggle to survive, the struggle to live up to your responsibilities when every time you turn around you are kicked in the dirt. And this is evident every time Russell Crowe steps on screen. You really believe that he is a man that is living daily with the weight of the world on his shoulders, hardened by life, swallow his pride to provide for the family that expects him to keep them together. He plays a man that has been beaten down, forced to take everything that comes to him and keep on trudging. Russell Crowe wears it on his face like a giant tattoo. You really believe that Russell Crowe has walked in James Braddock’s shoes. By the end of the movie it feels like you know a little about the man yourself. It makes your heart swell at each little victory, and fall apart at watching him struggle. Ron Howard knocked it out of the park with this one, and this is probably Russell Crowe’s best movie. I certainly suggest you check it out. But I warn you, this movie my elicit feelings of dread, sadness, and elation at a moment’s notice.
 

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