Great emotional story

Rating: 8/10 (2 February 2014)

James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe) was a successful up and coming fighter. By 1933, he is broken down and like the rest of the world impoverished. He can't pay his bills. His family is suffering. He struggles on with smaller fights, nagging injuries, and little work. Then they revoke his license to fight. He hits bottom. His kids are sent away. He goes on public assistance and ends up begging for money. His long time trainer Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti) gets a short notice fight with the number 2 heavyweight contender but he surprised everybody by winning.
The one word for the Braddock character is dignity. He never lost his even as he hit rock bottom. It's a very compelling character, and Russell Crowe plays it perfectly. Both Renée Zellweger and Paul Giamatti are terrific in this. The fight action is well done and exciting. The best part of the movie is probably when the family is down to nothing. It's a superb movie from a great director with a compelling story.