Directed by:Ron Howard
Produced by:Brian Grazer, Ron Howard
I can't remember one movie this year that is more exciting, more anticipating, and more entertaining than Cinderella Man
I can't remember one movie this year that is more exciting, more anticipating, and more entertaining than Cinderella Man
Cinderella Man tells the story of James J. Braddock played by a perfect actor. Perfect, there's a word that doesn't come by often every day. But here I can tell you that Russell Crowe, as Braddock, Zellwegger as his wife Mae, and Giamatti as his trainer Joe Gould are three of the greatest performances that you could ask for. That's right, Cinderella Man is perfect.
Directed by Ron Howard and produced by his right hand man Brian Grazer, Cinderella Man tells the story of the unrecognized name of James J. Braddock. In the 1920's Braddock was a boxer and a true sportsman to the game. Jim has "three healthy trouble making kids and the most beautiful wife a man could ask for."
Life was good for the Braddock's. But then something happened to them. That something was called the Great Depression. After losing everything and living in a small one room basement, Jim is thrown out of the boxing commission for being an embarrassment to the sport. He has nothing left in the world of fighting. So, now, with no money and no job, Jim must do everything in his power to get money.
There are two scenes in this movie that really capture the horror of the Great Depression. First, Jim's first-born son Jay was caught stealing meat. He didn't do it for the sake of stealing. He was afraid that his parents because of financial reasons would send him away. He took the food for his family so they could eat; so they could live their lives. Jim then promises him that he will never send him away. Howard doesn't use much dialogue here. He uses the eyes of Russell Crowe and you can easily feel what they are going through. The other scene is the most heartbreaking of all scenes. After being thrown out of the boxing commission, Jim goes back to the people he once knew, the people he once understood and looked into their eyes and said that he needed money. Slowly, he went around with tears in his eyes to each person begging like he wasn't a man anymore. It was truly heartbreaking and it touched every part of my little heart.
But then, Jim catches a break after his trainer Joe Gould (A knockout by Giamatti) gets him a fight. Obviously, Jim will take it for the money and for a second chance. He surprisingly wins the fight and moves on to the next challenger. He wins there and now he will face the champion of the world Max Baer. Now many people will wonder. Is this movie predictable? Well a movie cannot be called Cinderella Man if didn't have a happy ending. Of course Braddock wins at the end. Of course the movie ends with everyone in the theater cheering. I know I was. But if you think that ruins the movie well guess again. Howard gives you old fashion on the edge of your seat thrills that aren't from big explosions or special effects. It's about one man struggling for a second chance in life. Every single punch counts in a fight for your life. I had a loss for words after this film. When the movie was over, I sat there and thought about it for a minute. Then after the credits started to come on the screen, I smiled like I have never smiled before at the movies.
Directed by Ron Howard and produced by his right hand man Brian Grazer, Cinderella Man tells the story of the unrecognized name of James J. Braddock. In the 1920's Braddock was a boxer and a true sportsman to the game. Jim has "three healthy trouble making kids and the most beautiful wife a man could ask for."
Life was good for the Braddock's. But then something happened to them. That something was called the Great Depression. After losing everything and living in a small one room basement, Jim is thrown out of the boxing commission for being an embarrassment to the sport. He has nothing left in the world of fighting. So, now, with no money and no job, Jim must do everything in his power to get money.
There are two scenes in this movie that really capture the horror of the Great Depression. First, Jim's first-born son Jay was caught stealing meat. He didn't do it for the sake of stealing. He was afraid that his parents because of financial reasons would send him away. He took the food for his family so they could eat; so they could live their lives. Jim then promises him that he will never send him away. Howard doesn't use much dialogue here. He uses the eyes of Russell Crowe and you can easily feel what they are going through. The other scene is the most heartbreaking of all scenes. After being thrown out of the boxing commission, Jim goes back to the people he once knew, the people he once understood and looked into their eyes and said that he needed money. Slowly, he went around with tears in his eyes to each person begging like he wasn't a man anymore. It was truly heartbreaking and it touched every part of my little heart.
But then, Jim catches a break after his trainer Joe Gould (A knockout by Giamatti) gets him a fight. Obviously, Jim will take it for the money and for a second chance. He surprisingly wins the fight and moves on to the next challenger. He wins there and now he will face the champion of the world Max Baer. Now many people will wonder. Is this movie predictable? Well a movie cannot be called Cinderella Man if didn't have a happy ending. Of course Braddock wins at the end. Of course the movie ends with everyone in the theater cheering. I know I was. But if you think that ruins the movie well guess again. Howard gives you old fashion on the edge of your seat thrills that aren't from big explosions or special effects. It's about one man struggling for a second chance in life. Every single punch counts in a fight for your life. I had a loss for words after this film. When the movie was over, I sat there and thought about it for a minute. Then after the credits started to come on the screen, I smiled like I have never smiled before at the movies.
Crowe and Zellwegger have great chemistry on screen. I knew nothing about the Braddock's life going into the film. But right when Jim and Mae shared their first kiss on screen it felt like I knew all about their love and their lives. Crowe and Zellwegger could not be any better.
This movie has Oscar fever all over it. Crowe, Zellwegger, Giamatti, and Howard all deserve an Oscar plain and simple, no questions asked. Cinderella Man and an exuberant piece of filmmaking filled with laughter, cries, tears, and cheers. For your sake, find some money and invest it into this film. Don't worry; your stock investment in this film will not drop. It will skyrocket into your heart.
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