Good old fashioned movie-making

Rating: 10/10 (15 June 2005)

I was impressed by the way this movie told two stories, one about a down-and-out fighter and another about the Great Depression. Either story was important enough, but when woven together it becomes one of the greatest American stories of all time. Each was told well enough to stand on its own, but again, together they comprise a truly great motion picture. As if this story and the way it was told weren't enough, the movie is spectacular to look at, and the acting jobs are transcendent, particularly Paul Giamatti, who takes a simple role and infuses it with something riveting. Russell Crowe, who I've never liked, is fantastic, and Renee Zellweger is, well, Renee Zellweiger. Nothing beats a story that should be told when it is told really well. Sit back with your popcorn and take the ride. Opie has done it again.