Review of Cinderella Man (2005) by Mike S — 21 Jan 2011

Boxing in the 1930's is no more interesting to me than boxing the way it is today. Yet, to my great pleasure and amazement, this was about so much more than just a guy throwing punches in the ring.

I even liked it more than Rocky and The Fighter, which should be saying something of just how great it is. One of the things that makes it so gripping, is that Jim Braddock (played to perfection by Russell Crowe) doesn't just fight for the sake of his career; he fights to support his family and to put food on their table.

And when a character does all that just to survive, it takes on a whole different meaning and becomes something that everyone can relate to. In the end, that's what separates this from other boxing movies.

Here you feel every punch, become involved in every emotion and root for Braddock to make it out a winner. Ron Howard's film-making may be of very mixed quality, but this is one of the cases where he's pulled out all his aces and given us his very best.

As can be said about the cast, who all do marvellous work in their respective roles. A true knock-out of a movie, with as much power in its drama, as there is in Braddock's right hand.