Best boxing movie since Raging Bull

Rating: 7/10 (18 September 2005)

I've never seen a movie about a boxer that is so humanist in its approach, it almost made me cry. Ron Howard might be panned for making a melodrama out of Braddocks life, but isn't life a continuing melodrama itself? I love Russel Crowe for his sincerity in breathing life to Braddock's character and Renee Zelwegger, as is usual, proves that her talent is not limited to playing Bridget Jones. This is an Oscar-worthy film, and if Crowe and Zelwegger don't earn nominations, I'd be disappointed. Howard's direction is quite focused. From the beginning to the end, we are hooked on Braddock's struggles to keep his family together despite money problems. Howard has struck the right chord in making the audience understand and appreciate Braddock's near forgotten life. And Crowe for making Braddock alive again, even for just a little more two hours. This is the best boxing movie since Martin Scorcese's Raging Bull.