He Was a Symbol of Hope in a Ruined Nation

Rating: 7/10 (20 May 2006)

In the North American Great Depression, the former successful boxer James Braddock (Russell Crowe) loses all his possessions and savings with the crash of the stock market. His beloved wife Mae Braddock (Renée Zellweger) and their three children survive to starvation and lack of heating and the daily difficulties supported by their love. In 1934, when Jim's couch and manager Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti) offers to him a chance to return to boxing, he becomes the symbol of hope of hopeless people in a ruined nation.
"Cinderella Man" is a very beautiful dramatization of a true story. The film has a magnificent reconstitution of a period; excellent cast, with Russell Crowe, the always excellent Renée Zellweger and Paul Giamatti; and a really very positive screenplay, showing the fight for surviving in an economic ruined country of a honored family with strong bonds and moral principles. The choreography of the fights is very well performed. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "A Luta Pela Esperança" ("A Fight for Hope")