Cinderella Man
Directed by: Ron Howard
Produced by: Ron Howard Penny Marshall Brian Grazer
Story by: Cliff Hollingsworth
Starring: Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti, Craig Bierko, Bruce McGill, Paddy Considine
Introduction
The word Cinderella would resonate a fairy tale, the title Cinderella man was earned by James J. Braddock for his seemingly fairytale like rise from a local fighter to the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. This movie is great biopic. The true story of James Braddock who, in the 1920’s make a surprise comeback following his retirement and the Great depression, to get him and his family out of a socially and economically poor state. It can be said that the fight for him was actually against his poor financial state which encourages him to make this comeback
STORY & SCREENPLAY
Based on a true story, Cinderella man is about the family and boxing career of James Braddock who gained popularity as light heavyweight in the late 1920s ,until he lost a fight in 1929.
The movie then moves ahead to 1933 where James boxing career is in decline due to the injuries to one of his hands. His manager and friend, Joe Gould tries to get him some fights but due to James’s lackluster performance in the past few fights, the boxing commission pulls his license.
Like many other people, James and his wife, Mae, is in a very poor financial state during the Great depression struggling to put food on the table for his family. Eventually, he starts working as a dock worker at least on the days when they are hiring ,despite his injured hands which slowly recovers. And he even signs for the financial aids by the government given which would at least help him in some way but eventually, he struggles to pay his bills and in the the spring of 1934,his ex manager offers him a fight out of a surprise for two hundred and fifty dollars. James reaction was “for two hundred and fifty dollars, I would fight your wife”.
James is fighting a heavyweight contender named corn Griffin as Griffin’s opponent suddenly can’t make it. To everyone’s surprise, James knocks out Griffin in three rounds. After that by successfully defeating two other contenders, James wins the right to fight heavyweight champion Max Baer who is known to have killed two men in the ring. As everyone thinks that Braddock is unlikely contender for the world title but James defeats Max Baer becoming the world champion.
Performances
Cinderella man is Ron Howard and Russell Crowe’s fabulous work. The fight scenes are extraordinarily well executed that is to be realistic, technically brilliant and also entertaining. The terrific acting abilities of Russell Crowe and Renee Zellwegger puts the movie way above those of the same genre. The cast is outstanding, especially Paul Giamatti.
Conclusion
Thoroughly entertaining, stellar cast and amazing performances, Cinderella man is a heartwarming tale, an inspiring true story of a boxer who transits from man to myth and then myth to Cinderella man. Cinderella man is natural and even gritty look and feel. Cinderella man has a lot of heart. It is worth watching and remembering. So If you are thinking whether to watch it or not, just watch it because you will live the movie.
Disclaimer: The above review solely illustrates the views of the writer.