Mixed review, story is for the birds, production is first rate

Rating: 6/10 (26 June 2006)

I know I am in the minority in reviewing Cinderella Man,, I thought it was a big bore.
This is the story of James Braddock, a second rate boxer who beat Max Baer & became the heavy weight Champion, We, or most of us know he was the guy Joe Louis knocked out in the first round to start his long career as CHAMP.
As presented here, its mostly a romantic love story with his wife, superbly played by Rene Zelliger. Russell Crowe is effective as Braddock...He has done many better roles. Paul Giamatti is his agent/trainer, even tho its a dramatic role,it comes across as comic relief.
The settings are very good, except I don't believe Madison Square Garden looked that way, I was there many ties in the late 1930's & 1940's. & also there was no trolley cars on Eighth Avenue then.
Ron Howard directed this nostalgic looking film, & like his latest film (The DaVinci Code),he bit off more than he could chew.
There have been many great boxing films, this does not come close to being in same category, as Champion,Million Dollar Baby,Raging Bull, The Set Up.
rating **1/2 out of 4 74 points out of 100, IMDb 6 out of 10