Beautiful story of the real Rocky!!

Rating: 9/10 (10 December 2005)

Cinderella Man is a guaranteed hit at least with critics although I don't know that I heard all that much of it. Regardless it has an amazing combination and a story to back all of that up. Academy darling Russell Crowe, regardless of all the outside personal stuff is hands down a great actor. He has a quiet intensity about him and he brings his style to James Braddock perfectly. Braddock is a deeply loving family man bent on survival and keeping his family together. But on top of that he's a man who boxes, he's a legend and it's all he knows how to do and Crowe performs this role flawlessly. It's a beautiful performance. Ron Howard is one of my favorite directors. Not only does he manage to make critically acclaimed films but he makes it films that the audience loves. Cinderella Man is no different. He's created a story that is gritty and visual, gray and depressing but pulls a heart warming powerful underdog story out of it that will make you jump up and root for James Braddock.
The setting for Cinderella Man is depression era New York and the way that this film is set up will make you feel the depression into your very bones. Sometimes the sets almost look like a stage with a single spot light onto it and instead of cheapening the look, it makes it feel desolate, poor, discouraging and you feel the emotions of all the actors. Renée Zellweger is okay. She kind of sticks out from the rest of the cast because she doesn't really ever reach the caliber of performance that the others do especially the one she shares the most screen time with...Crowe. Paul Giamatti continues his streak of great roles as Braddock's best friend, corner man and supporter Joe Gould. Although the character is a small role he puts real heart into it and is bound for a best supporting actor nomination for sure. The rest of the supporting cast will be familiar faces, great character actors and they all fit the bill. One of my favorite faces who shows up here and there and always turns out a great performance no matter how brief is Bruce McGill who, in Cinderella Man, plays fight promoter Jimmy Johnston.
Despite all the impressive very real performances they only help what is a brilliant moving story. Boxing stories on film always seem to hit a note with emotions ie: Rocky, Million Dollar Baby and this film really felt like the common Rocky formula but was far more real than the Italian Stallion. The story was so uplifting and you get so drawn in and the action is great too considering the intense boxing fights especially the final bout against the heavy weight champion. But you never consider it a violent story about boxing but rather one man's return and rise above poverty to save his family and regain his dignity. I don't think there isn't anyone that won't enjoy this captivating film about a boxer who was the hope for thousands. Check this one out for sure!! 9/10