Punching into glory

Rating: 8/10 (7 May 2014)

setup in the depression era in the early 1930's with fantastic performances by Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti keep you glued on the screen, and the direction of Ron Howard brings the story of a ex-prizefighter to life with fight scenes that have stinging authenticity a fluid and gripping storytelling and this affection for Braddock and his story can be felt in every frame and heard in every word.Zellweger has an uncanny ability to make us swallow even the most movie-ish moments.Funny and emotive, Giamatti shows us the raw excitable emotions that keep exploring the surface of Gould's fast-talking tough-guy disguise. As a history lesson "Cinderella Man" feels a bit second-hand. As a true- grit tale of redemption, however, it lands one solid body punch after another.