One of the Year's Best and most Innovative Film

Rating: Null/10 (14 September 2005)

When we look back at yesterday's movies, like Rocky, Ali and the most recent being the Oscar winner Million Dollar Baby, we look at how these movies and more others are an inspiration to other directors and writers. After watching Cinderella Man, i was so impressed with Ron Howard's direction, that i felt it more powerful than A Beautiful Mind. The Story is set around a small time boxer named James J. Braddock and the 1929 Great Depression. His family, Mae and the three children, try to fight the atrocities of the depression and its effects. As heard in the Behind the Scenes, Poverty is mainly the antagonist in the movie. The Characters are very powerful, going from Rusell Crowe as a fighting and surviving boxer to Renee Zellweger as a courageous mother and wife, with supporting cast from Paul Giamatti, and other caricature characters that come along the way throughout the movie. Russell Crowe once again delivers a Knockout after Gladiator and Master and Commander, Renee Zellweger does her 30's actress type makeup and expressions beautifully, Paul Giamatti as Russell Crowe's trainer does a fantastic supporting job as his friend in the ring. The rest of the Cast is great to look at, especially the boxer Max who is out to destroy anyone he meets is also deadly. The screenplay is great, i loved the way each and every aspect was described. Taking the film on the Cutting Room floor must have been difficult for director Howard, because it looks that there is not one shot he left out. The Cinematography looked beautiful, something from other inspirational movies such as Million Dollar Baby or Seabiscuit. The Costumes and Artistic 1930's sets were superbly done, even when filming in confined spaces. The Sound was so perfect that you would not forget the visuals you have seen and the sounds heard. The music was something to cry about that makes you feel special to hear. The last fight also has such an incredible build-up that it makes you intensely want to stay till the end. Even when the villain is introduced he is given the smallest build up to be a villain. This is a movie that has many inspirations inside, from Ron Howard's previous films such as Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind. I would any day prefer to go for this movie. Many People who came out of the theater said that this will be the Oscar Contender for this year. I give this movie a straight 10 out of 10. Go watch it, it is the best movie of the year.