Film Review

Rating: Null/10 (10 December 2016)

In the film Russell Crowe plays a boxer named James Braddock who is married to Mae Braddock who is played by Renee Zellweger. James is managed by Joe Gould who is played by Paul Giamatti. James is a promising young boxer. After injuries hinder his ability to fight lowers his performance no one will give him a fight. The great depression hits and takes a toll on James and his family. He is given a chance to fight one last time makes the most of it and works his way up the ladder to become the champion of his weight class. The rise does not come without its struggles and conflict within his family.
The theme of the film is that you must do whatever it takes to care for and be with your family. Throughout the film when James is fighting, when given his second chance, he has flashbacks to his family struggling. This gives the impression that he is fighting for his family and the betterment of them. He is determined that no matter what happens he will win the fight and he will do it for his family.
Another scene that demonstrates the theme is when his son is caught stealing. When he makes his son return the item he stole he promises him that he will never split their family apart. Many families had to be split apart because of the tough economic times.
The scene where James is working on the docks with a broken hand also demonstrates the theme. He is hiding his injury and working through a lot of pain to ensure that his family can stay together. He is determined that there is nothing that is going to keep him from doing whatever he can to keep his family together.
There were also thematic elements that played into the role of determining the theme. The lighting in the home helps to show the theme. The apartment they are staying in is dark except for the faces of the family members, which shows the importance of the family. It is also symbolic that there are no lights on in the house when the kids have to leave the home.
In addition to the lighting the angles in the film also show examples of the theme. When James is entering the ring the angle of the camera is above him. When he is in the ring there are angles that show him from a ringside perspective that gives the illusion he is high in the air. This shows that he is doing something that is helping his family and is being propped up for doing so.
The film Castaway has similar items to the theme of this film. In Castaway Chuck has a will to survive and stay alive because of his wife. This shows that it is imperative to do whatever it takes to care for and be with your family.