 Tagline: When America was on its knees, he brought us to our feet. Academy Award winners Russell Crowe and Renée Zellweger star in this triumphant, powerfully inspiring true story. In a time when America needed a champion, an unlikely hero would arise, proving how hard a man would fight to win a second chance for his family and himself. Suddenly thrust into the national spotlight, boxer Jim Braddock would defy the odds against him and stun the world with one of the greatest comebacks in history. Driven by love for his family, he willed an impossible dream to come true. Storyline: During the Great Depression, a common-man hero, James J. Braddock--a.k.a. the Cinderella Man--was to become one of the most surprising sports legends in history. By the early 1930s, the impoverished ex-prizefighter was seemingly as broken-down, beaten-up and out-of-luck as much of the rest of the American populace who had hit rock bottom. His career appeared to be finished, he was unable to pay the bills, the only thing that mattered to him--his family--was in danger, and he was even forced to go on Public Relief. But deep inside, Jim Braddock never relinquished his determination. Driven by love, honor and an incredible dose of grit, he willed an impossible dream to come true. In a last-chance bid to help his family, Braddock returned to the ring. No one thought he had a shot. However Braddock, fueled by something beyond mere competition, kept winning. Suddenly, the ordinary working man became the mythic athlete. Carrying the hopes and dreams of the disenfranchised on his shoulders, ... Written by Sujit R. Varma Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Kenneth Brown, May 16, 2009 -- I'm beginning to think there isn't a leading role in Hollywood that Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe couldn't transform into Oscar gold. Even when he inadvertently stumbles onto the set of a mediocre film -- Virtuosity, Proof of Life, and A Good Year spring to mind -- he exudes an unwavering confidence and commitment to his craft, investing himself wholeheartedly in spite of any circumstances, challenges, or egos that stand in his way. As far as I'm concerned, it's this same integrity that allows a sensationalized, overtly-sentimental period piece like Cinderella Man to work as well as it does. Not only does Crowe's understated performance inspire his castmates to reach similar heights, he provides a much-needed anchor-point for an overambitious director and manages to ground a screenplay that tends to prioritize mild flights-of-historical-fancy over genuine period authenticity. Based on the riveting true story of James Braddock, a 1930s boxer forced into early retirement after a hand injury threatened his career, Cinderella Man explores the struggles and hardships ordinary American citizens faced during the Great Depression. After reluctantly giving up his livelihood, Braddock (Russell Crowe) begins to look for steady work so he can still provide for his wife (Renée Zellweger) and four children. His days are long, the work is hard, and his mind is occupied with dreams of a triumphant return to boxing. But before you can say plot development, a visit from his former manager (Paul Giamatti) and a fortuitous cancellation gives him another chance to fight. Strapping on a pair of gloves and stepping into the ring against impossible odds, Braddock delivers a devastating blow that forever alters the trajectory of his life. As a public deprived of hope latches onto his comeback story, he becomes an overnight celebrity and begins to prepare for a battle-of-the-ages against heavyweight champion Max Baer (Craig Bierko). Yes, director Ron Howard (The Da Vinci Code, Frost/Nixon, Angels & Demons) attempts to amplify the vulnerability and turmoil of his characters... yes, screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (Batman & Robin, A Beautiful Mind, I Am Legend) manipulates events at his slick-penned will... and yes, the film itself has been specifically constructed to appeal to as many heartstrings as possible. However, Crowe, Giamatti, and the usually-grating Zellweger rise to the occasion, injecting humanity and soul into their Depression-era tribulations. In fact, the trio exhibit such masterful control over their expressions and interactions that I can't think of any other actors who could so intrinsically inhabit their roles. Crowe carefully massages a sense of despair and desperation into his every thought and action, presenting Braddock as a hard-working everyman that unwittingly becomes a symbol to a starving nation. Giamatti is a force of spittle-spewing nature, using Gould's chunky charms to cleverly contrast Braddock's at-times thick-headed disposition. Zellweger crams love, loss, and fear into her petite frame, allowing Mae to express devotion, hesitancy, and resignation in the same breath. All three award-winning actors mold the film into something it wouldn't be had anyone else signed onto the project. Cinderella Man is a bit overbearing -- aligning situations against Braddock in vicious succession, using Thomas Newman's admittedly-astounding musical score to milk every ounce out of tragic developments, and frequently making the boxer's life too humorless for his own good -- but the story at the heart of Howard and Goldsman's take on the tale is too strong, moving, and relevant to affect the film on a fundamental level. Ultimately, I wouldn't blame anyone for thinking Cinderella Man is overwrought and manipulative... it is. However, I found myself so swept up in Braddock's personal life, successes and failures, and eventual rise to fame that I can't help but recommend this one. Cinderella Man is one of director Ron Howard's finest. It isn't as precise as Apollo 13 or as captivating as Ransom, but it does boast phenomenal performances, an inspiring story, and an unexpectedly relevant exploration of hope during a period of tremendous economic turmoil. Universal's Blu-ray edition is even better. With a faithful video transfer, a rousing DTS-HD Master Audio track, and a seemingly endless collection of supplemental materials, Cinderella Man is a perfect disc to pick up for dear old dad this Father's Day. Cast Notes: 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). IMDb Rating (12/30/09): 8.0/10 from 58,699 users
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