Triumph against heavy odds.

Rating: 8/10 (17 December 2005)

Ron Howard directs this heartwarming story of Jim J. Braddock(Russell Crowe), whose promising boxing career hit the skids about the time of the Great Depressions. Stuggeling to make ends meet for his family, his long time manager Joe Gould(Paul Giamatti)got him the chance to change his luck. Braddock, in 1934, had upset wins against Corn Griffin and John Henry Lewis. This set up the shot for the title against the much feared heavyweight champ Max Baer(Craig Bierko), who had already killed two men in the ring. Jim was a 10 to 1 underdog, but traded punches with the bigger Baer and won the championship. Two years later, Braddock lost the crown by a KO delivered by Joe Louis. Jim Braddock gave a down-trodden populace a hero to look up to and was bestowed the nickname of the Cinderella Man. Other cast members: Renee Zellweger as J.J.'s wife Mae along with Bruce McGill, David Huband and Paddy Considine. Once again director Howard evokes excellence providing some very realistic and graphic boxing scenes. He also found bit parts for his dad Rance and brother Clint. This movie could easily also be called a love story...as well as a story of patience, courage and determination.