A hero's story told to a new generation

Rating: 8/10 (30 November 2006)

America was a grim and desperate country during The Great Depression, but James Braddock (Russell Crowe) was one of the few bright spots in this true story about a down and out boxer who rose from the ashes to become the Heavyweight Champion of the World. Ron Howard's "Cinderella Man" is an inspirational tale which shows how brutal and challenging life can be at times, yet people can survive and prosper while facing insurmountable odds when given the opportunity.
With his loving wife Mae (Renee Zellweger) and children freezing and starving at home this fighter turned dockworker will do anything to change his family's fortunes. Opportunity knocks as Braddock's longtime trainer (Paul Giamatti) offers one last fight for the retired boxer. This man has nothing left to lose and everything to gain as he takes hold of his re-found career, surprising every contender with his unstoppable will. The fight scenes pull you in the ring with palm sweating action so close I found myself ducking in my seat.
Ron Howard's vivid re-creation of The Great Depression era, with bread lines, Hoovervilles, and humiliating welfare trips brilliantly displays life in the late 1920's and 30's. The costume design including hand me down rags and authentic settings with children playing in broken down Model T's really give the viewers a chance to see what life was like in these dark times.
While the underdog theme in this film is similar to "Rocky", that is where the comparisons should end as this story actually happened and Crowe's performance is a notch or two above Sylvester Stallone's.
If ever there was a need for a real hero for the American people to rally around then this was the time. Ron Howard's character development is endearing to all as everyone can relate to this workingman's fighter who has lived the struggle. The Max Baer character, womanizing, arrogant, and spoiled is a nice contrast to Crowe's hungry (literally and figuratively), loving, and honest depiction. James Braddock survived anything the Great Depression could throw at him with bravery and dignity, and came out on top.