A simple, moving and very human story about surviving and triumph

Rating: Null/10 (26 June 2007)

Ron Howard's 'Cinderella Man' is the story of of Depression-era prize-fighter James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe) and his wife Mae Braddock (Renee Zellweger). Howard gives us a glimpse through the ups and downs of their lives. In the beginning we see the Braddocks as a happy family and then we see them during the depression era: James struggling to find work at the docks, his fighting with a broken hand, giving his daughter his breakfast meal, Mae watching her children get ill, she and the children stealing wood from the sign to provide warmthwe are provided with many such hard hitting scenes. We see James trying to keep his head high until despair wins over when he begs for money to get his children back. Through it all the family stick together and their love and devotion to one another keeps them strong. Then things take a turn for the better, when Gould (his former manager) comes up with an opportunity to box. Braddock is back in the ring and continues climbing the ladder to success. He does not let success corrupt him. The Braddocks remain aware of where they have come from. In a wonderful restaurant dinner scene, we see Mae slip some meat in her purse (to feed the children at home). Mae tries her best to be supportive but she fears for his life and her fears become more apparent when James agrees to fight Max Baer.
Howard's direction is good, nothing outstanding. There are several memorable scenes (some of which I've already mentioned) most of which is because of the actors' performances.
Credit goes to Crowe, Zellweger and Giamatti for turning this movie from good to great. Crowe fits his character like a glove and delivers one of his finest performances. His restraint makes his character human. His chemistry with Zellweger and with Giamatti stand out and make the scenes memorable. Zellweger is gold. Can this actress ever go wrong? Giamatti is outstanding. Check out his facial expression in various scenes especially the one where he requests McGill to take Braddock back. Bruce McGill is adequate and Paddy Considine does well (though his plot appears to deviate). Craig Bierko's Max Baer seems more like a typical one-dimensional villain, but then again, this is not his story.
On the whole, this movie is more than worth a watch and one of my favorite 'boxing' movies. It's not just about winning but more about surviving. It's a wonderfully simple, moving and very human story even though it's predictable.