will do down as the greatest movie viewers will never see

Rating: 9/10 (9 July 2005)

The cell phone throwing Russell Crowe plays the underdog and lovable James J. Braddock, a boxer who is hit hard financially and emotionally by the great depression in Cinderella Man. The always brilliant Paul Giamatti (who is most deserving of a best supporting actor nod come awards season) plays Braddock's manager and friend, Joe Gould. Renee Zellweger is just as impressive as Mae Braddock, the strong-willed wife and mother. Ron Howard successfully directs this riches to rags story of the Braddock family, who once lived with luxury in a beautiful home, now scrap for food and heat as tenants of an awful "apartment." With the success of such boxing flicks as Million Dollar Baby, Cinderella Man struck me as very unique due to the underlying story of a family binding together to survive in very dangerous times. I would say only about one-third of this film is dedicated to boxing, the rest following the character's long battle with poverty (not to take away from the visually grueling boxing matches).
I've said this since its release in June of 2005, this films only mistake is not waiting until the fall and winter months for its release. It will get some love come awards season, but will do down as the greatest movie viewers will never see.