a fantastic movie

Rating: 10/10 (3 December 2007)

I have heard so many people talk about how much they disliked Cinderella Man and how it shouldn't have such a high rating on IMDb. I, on the other hand, consider this nothing short of an amazing achievement in acting, storytelling, directing, as well as choreography. I wasn't the biggest fan of Russell Crowe UNTIL THIS FILM! His portrayal of Jim Braddock completely altered my perception of him as an actor. His performance is so heartfelt, so honorable, it really gets to you while you're watching the film that he (Jim Braddock) and all of the other people who lived in during Depression era USA, are much stronger and tougher than we are now. Just watching this film inspires me to become a more wholesome man like Jim Braddock. The fight choreography is incredible, every fight looks as if you're the one receiving the punches to the face. The story is told masterfully, with the perfect combination of family, personal anguish and triumph, and ultimately, the perfect unfolding of Jim's quest for the title. I have always respected Ron Howard as a director, but Cinderella Man is a cut above anything else he's done before, including A Beautiful Mind. This film ranks in my top 3 movies, and I keep hoping that it stays in the top 250.