the American dream myth

Rating: 5/10 (6 June 2005)

this movie has hints at insight (the conversation between braddock's wife and his manager's wife, braddock's confrontation with a boxing promoter comparing the profit of boxing to an uprising crushed by police in "hooverville") but mostly is another tired telling of the American dream myth. braddock is a "self-made man", with a woman behind him while he supports the family (who is only validated when she supports her husband), and he's tough, willing to risk personal health for pride. another example of how sports is used to distract the American public, primarily men, away from organizing for change and fighting the powers that be, to fighting "in the ring". five stars because the story is told in a slightly more complicated fashion.