Cinderella Man (2005)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers (WGA):

Cliff Hollingsworth (story)
Cliff Hollingsworth (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

3 June 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

One man's extraordinary fight to save the family he loved.

Plot:

The story of James Braddock, a supposedly washed up boxer who came back to become a champion and an inspiration in the 1930s.

Plot Keywords:

Boxing | Great Depression | Boxer | 1930s | Dock

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 22 nominations

Cast

Russell Crowe	...	Jim Braddock
Renée Zellweger	...	Mae Braddock
Paul Giamatti	...	Joe Gould
Craig Bierko	...	Max Baer
Paddy Considine	...	Mike Wilson
Bruce McGill	...	Jimmy Johnston
David Huband	...	Ford Bond
Connor Price	...	Jay Braddock
Ariel Waller	...	Rosemarie Braddock
Patrick Louis	...	Howard Braddock
Rosemarie DeWitt	...	Sara Wilson
Linda Kash	...	Lucille Gould
Nicholas Campbell	...	Sporty Lewis
Gene Pyrz	...	Jake
Chuck Shamata	...	Father Rorick

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense boxing violence and some language.

Runtime:

144 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #41365) | Argentina:Atp | Peru:PT | Philippines:PG-13 | Brazil:14 | Taiwan:PG-12 | Sweden:11 | Hong Kong:IIA | Belgium:KT | Venezuela:PG-13 | Malaysia:18SG (uncut version) | Malaysia:U (cut version) | Hungary:14 | Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | South Korea:All | Ireland:15 | South Africa:10V | Denmark:11 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Manitoba) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | France:U | New Zealand:M | Australia:M | Ireland:15A | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | UK:12A | Germany:12 | Finland:K-11

Filming Locations:

Distillery District, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The story Braddock tells of his kids confusing the word "title" with the word "turtle" is true. A reporter asked Braddock's son Howard what he would do if his father brought home the title young Howard replied that he'd "play with it. Pull it around on a string".

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The credits list Benny Goodman's version of "Don't Be That Way" as the song playing in the club when Braddock meets Baer. That version of the song was first performed/recorded several years later, in 1938, at Carnegie Hall.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Joe Gould: Attaboy! Keep him busy!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "HBO First Look: The Making of 'American Gangster' (#14.27)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble

Old story well told!

Geez, another boxing movie! Yeah, Yeah, I know the story. Down and out guy gets a break and makes the most of it. He's fighting for his family, he's fighting for all those other hopeless people. Been there, done that.

Oh, I forgot to mention one thing. This movie is about the best 140 minute I've spent in a movie theater since . . . . since . . . ., Oh, well, you get the picture. Better yet, instead of getting the picture, go see it.

Russell Crowe owns the character of James Braddock, the unlikely hero who makes the most of his second chance. He's a good fighter turned hack. Injury, bad luck and this thing called the Depression sends him down the drain.

His wife, Mae, played by Renee Zelleweger, wants to be his biggest fan, but the kids need a dad, the rent has to get paid and the money from boxing dried up along time ago. Her husband's courage is undoubted, but his nerve is killing her.

And then there's Joe Gould, played by Paul Giamatti.

A boxer by the name of George Cochan once told me his manager was the bravest man he ever knew, he was willing to pit his man (Cochan) against anyone. As a result, Cochan had his head handed to him multiple times by the likes of Jake LaMotta and other class middle weights of the Forties and Fifties. Gould, is that brave manager, if not literally, in spirit. He pits Braddock, out of shape and with one day notice, against the number two heavy weight contender. Regardless of the risk, it's a pay day needed by both Gould and Braddock.

The story, while familiar, is executed brilliantly. The camera work is both subtle and, in turn, spectacular. Craig Bierko, Paddy Considine, Bruce McGill and the rest of the cast give flawless performances.

Yes, been there, done that! And I'm ready to do it again for anyone who wants to go with me.