Russell Crowe fights heavyweights and poverty in director Ron Howard’s latest, CINDERELLA MAN. Crowe portrays James Braddock, a former heavyweight boxer who suffered through the Great Depression and an injured right hand. After years outside of the ring, Jim receives a call from his former manager, on a one-time only fight with a serious contender. Despite his wife Mae’s urging, Jim steps into the squared-circle one more time with the assurance of a nice payday for his financially troubled household.
To call CINDERELLA MAN a boxing version of SEABISCUIT would not be far off. Both films are centered around struggling, Depression-Era competitors who strive for one last hurrah, and find themselves as an inspiration to many. Although I enjoyed SEABISCUIT, CINDERELLA MAN works even better thanks to several good performances, a wonderful storyline and an unrelenting patience by Howard to demonstrate the perils many faced during the period. Despite opening the picture with a bout, much of the film’s background is centered on the Braddocks and the country’s financial struggles and hardships. This isn’t to say the boxing matches don’t pack a punch, they do. Howard wisely chooses a “meat and potatoes” approach to filming the sport. He utilizes concise cuts, freeze frames and a more brutal, less artful way of capturing the action. Crowe once again demonstrates there’s no limit to his acting prowess, bringing his rugged machismo to Braddock’s matches, while showing a delicate, sensitive side as husband and father. Giamatti, and Renee Zelwegger as Mae, provide solid supporting performances. CINDERELLA MAN is classic Hollywood filmmaking, with a wonderful cast, talented director and timeless story.
Grade: B+
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