Not Just a Boxing Picture

Rating: 10/10 (31 August 2005)

When we were looking for a movie to see that particular evening a few months ago,my wife protested that Cinderella MAN was a boxing film and that it would be better suited for my brothers,buddies and myself. Well, we wound up going in anyway and, boy was she glad.
While it's true that Cinderella MAN is a story of the prize ring, it is much more than that. It's a boxing story, a biography and a period piece as well as a love story of sorts.Now, that is not to say that the fisticuffs of the film were sub standard in any way. Both the demonstration of the "Sweet Science" by the individual actors and the recreation of historical bouts from the depression era are all top notch.
To start with it is based on the true story of one James J.Braddock who was a sort of Journeyman Light Heavyweight Boxer in the 1920's. Braddock had to give up his pugilistic career due to some recurring injury to his hand. Some time later, he gets back into the game and works his way up to the Heavyweight Crown. This is all common knowledge to most any sports fan.
The film is also a great biopic in that it has been said to capture the essence of the real man. At times the character seems almost too good to be true. But those who knew him have insisted that the real man was as portrayed.
As a "Love Story", well love is all portrayed all throughout this story. We see the love and devotion of a man and woman to each other and to their family.The love of the children for their folks when the financial condition of the country and the whole world is at its very worst.And finally, the love of a public for a true champion for them to revere.
Lastly, the film was a period piece. It paints a very good picture of the depression years and what it was (and still is) like to be among the working poor. Mr.Braddock was representative of that generation of people who bravely fought their way through the Great Depression, only to immediately face the dangers and come out victorous in World War II.