Jimmy Braddock: not your average boxer

Rating: 9/10 (12 March 2007)

Most biopics made are interesting because of either the person, or the event the person was involved in. The actual person and/or the event do not guarantee that a movie about them will be good, of course the movie has to be done well also. Well, Ron Howard has definitely proved himself a capable director, with films such as "Far and Away" and "Beautiful Mind", so I expected nothing short of excellence from him in this film. Russell Crowe has established himself as a capable actor from such films as "Gladiator" and the afore-mentioned "Beautiful Mind." Those two made this movie work, and they made me genuinely interested in the story of Jimmy Braddock.
Jimmy Braddock was a boxer that wasn't that great, but boxing was all he knew. Since Jimmy wasn't that flashy or stunning as a fighter he eventually got ran out of boxing. What was so compelling about his story was that he boxed to feed his family. When the depression hit, everyone felt the squeeze. Jimmy did what he could to find work and provide food, so when boxing came calling back to him he answered the call immediately; even though he was just to be a warm up fight for another boxer.
In so many sports stories the athletes are propelled to prove something to someone even if it is to themselves. They may have to overcome an obstacle to achieve their dream, but it usually ends up being more for self satisfaction. Jimmy Braddock, on the other hand, didn't box to prove anything to anyone, he didn't box to become the heavy weight champion of the world or to prove he was the best, he boxed to feed his family. That motivation may seem simple, but it holds a lot of weight. Most people would die for their families, even kill for their families, so to box for one's family is a nominal act in comparison. Its significance lies in the comparison of one man's goal in sports to the goal of so many others in the sports arena.