Well acted, engaging, and entertaining.

Rating: 9/10 (3 January 2006)

"Cinderella Man" was one of very few movies I enjoyed in 2005. Before the movie I had barely heard of James Braddock or Max Baer. The movie motivated me to read several books/commentaries on boxing in the US during the 20's and 30's. I'm convinced James Braddock was one of the most courageous athletes in boxing or ANY sport. Motivated almost entirely in supporting and providing for his family, Mr. Braddock stands in stark contrast to the current crop with multiple "world champions" motivated almost entirely by money and narcissism. Though not a Russell Crowe fan he does an outstanding job in playing a self-deprecating, humble James Braddock. Craig Bierko was superb as Max Baer, although the Baer of this movie bears little resemblance to the "real life" Max Baer, that real life man who put through college the children of the fighter he "killed" in the ring. Paul Giamatti does his usual superb job. This movie was one of the best of the last 10 years.