The ROCKY of the new millennium

Rating: 8/10 (8 June 2005)

This really gets an 8.5.
1970 = ROCKY 1980 = Raging Bull 1990 = Well there was...umm...Play it to the bone 2000 = Cinderella Man
Russell Crowe is excellent as a down on his luck boxer. Unfortunately he seems to still be in character (lol). The movie opened to low sales ($18M, 2M below minimum expectations), but it is definitely a movie worth seeing. The setting (as for most movies set in the depression-era) shows the gravity of the 1930's economy on the common man (and well off joe as well).
The scenes with the children and Renee Z (who i do not usually like) were heartbreaking. JJ Braddock's story is an amazing one indeed. His courage in the face of overwhelming odds was inspirational. Crowe's comes close to perfection getting 8.5, only because he is not the first to play this type of character.
The entire movie is stolen by Paul Giamatti, who plays the booky. He is of course why the movie goes from simply a boxing movie with great fight shots to an excellent boxing movie with great fights shots and believable characters. He brings the best out of both Crowe and Zellweger.
The man should absolutely be nominated for best supporting actor (at the Oscars, not just the GGlobes). He is the supporting actor you always see and say "I know that guy...what is his name?"
Notable Films: Singles, Negotiator, Duets, Confidence (see this movie)
PS. Did Max Baer actually fight with no defense and only hay-makers?