I just watched a sneak preview of CM...and I: Loved it!

Rating: 9/10 (29 May 2005)

If you think your going to just a boxing movie you have underestimated the story of James J. Braddock. Damon Runyan, the great scribe who specialized in writing about the unusual characters that spiced the stories of life in New York, thought the true story of James J. Braddock...the Jersey fighter with a heart that wouldn't quit...to be that of a Cinderella story. Braddock, a successful light heavyweight fighter in the late 20's career took a dive with the stock market...and soon, instead of leading the fat life of a successful professional boxer...lost his skills due to injury and his money to the depression. So, we see the beginning of the movie with Braddock, a dedicated family man...knocking out Tuffy Griffith, ironically, I almost jumped out of my theater chair...for Mr Griffith was in my fathers Marine Corps outfit in WWII. As Braddock returns home to his lovely wife, finely portrayed by Rene Zellwiger, he is seen taking off his watch, after the 1929 fight. We are transported in time to four years later...and the suburban home is replaced by a shanty tenement in Jersey, where Braddock and family are faced with the harsh reality of living in depression era America. Not enough food for his family or enough milk for them to drink...Braddock is now a club fighter...routinely getting beaten by lesser opponents for fifty dollar purses. His last fight was deemed no contest as Braddock breaks his hand in three places but continues to fight on..until the ref stops the contest. Braddock's purse was withheld and his hand placed in a cast...with no money or steady work...services are disconnected and the final humiliation, his wife has to send their children to other family members to survive. The harsh reality of depression pulls no punches and Braddock and his family and religion/faith, is ultimately put to the test. Forced to beg in the club at Madison Square Garden..he needed forty dollars to get his electricity turned on and have his family returned. Crowe, one of the finest actors around to day...was again magnificent as the genuinely honest and modest Braddock. Whose Cinderella story is a remarkable tale told masterfully by Ron Howard. Go see it and see it often... I just watched the actual Baer vs Braddock heavyweight championship fight and the clowning, talkative Baer did just that...he was penalized for low blows and backhanding tactics in the fight...Baer took Braddock for granted and paid the price with his title. Also note, that Braddock lost his title to Joe Louis. For Louis to get the fight he had to give 10% of all his future fight earnings to Braddock. I don't think that deal was arranged by Braddock...but more his manager.