Inspiring story of a boxer who was a husband, father, and gentleman first.

Rating: Null/10 (31 December 2005)

Superb movie!!
I am not a boxing fan, and I didn't take the time to look up the actual biography of Jim Braddock. But knowing it is an Opie film, I suspect it is pretty accurate. We have seen so many spoiled, brash athletes, sometimes even criminal, it is refreshing to see that you can be a top fighter and still be a gentle, humble man. When something good happened, he may just say, "Well maybe it was the luck of the Irish."
Russell Crowe was already established as one of the very best actors working today, and this role as Jim Braddock is no exception. As he did in "The Insider" and "The Beautiful Mind", the character he becomes is believable, no longer the actor Crowe. Renée Zellweger also shines as the caring wife and mother Mae Braddock. Paul Giamatti is his manager, Joe Gould, in a very effective performance.
Braddock was one of the best fighters in the mid- to late-1920s, but the depression hit him hard as it did most everyone. He had invested his winnings in the stock market, to provide a secure future for his family, and lost it all. Occasionally getting day work, he was barely able to keep heat in the apartment and food on the table. He broke his hand in a fight, and lost the confidence of promoters. At one point, just to save his family, he went to former associates and literally begged to get a few dollars together to turn the heat and lights back on. All though this he didn't complain, he knew it wasn't anyone's fault, he just did the best he could.
Then, a bit old for the ring, in the mid-1930s got a chance for a fight when one opponent came up injured. Surprising everyone, he won, and later became contender for the world championship. A scene shows him going back through the welfare line, to re-pay the money that had been given to him when he was indigent. In the title match, he was matched against Max Baer (Craig Bierko) who had actually killed a man in the ring.
SPOILERS. The movie ends with that fight. It was a 15-rounder, as history knows Braddock won the fight in a unanimous decision, A very well choreographed fight. Braddock went on to be a successful businessman.