A fifteen round cracker

Rating: 9/10 (17 September 2005)

On a wet Saturday afternoon my 11 year old daughter and I wrestled (no pun intended) between whether to see Cinderella Man or Pride and Prejudice. On the basis that we both loved Million Dollar Baby, Cinderella Man won and my daughter's boxing education continued. Thank the lord! This movie is the latest in a long line of great boxing movies and threatens my long held opinion that Raging Bull could not be beaten. Whilst a lot more schmaltzy than Raging Bull (although that's a cruel word to use for emotional)it is every bit as convincing in the ring.
Russell Crowe has just made his best movie (he way outscores his overbearing performance in A Beautiful Mind). He carries the movie impressively, although he is ably supported by one of America's greatest emerging actors, Paul Giametti. Renne Zellwegger puts in a good shift suitably avoiding the risk of overdoing it.
I was close to tears many times and pinned to the back of my seat throughout the boxing bouts. most notably during the movie's rip roaring climax.
A great movie.
Oh yes, and my daughter now wants to take up boxing.