Review of Cinderella Man (2005) by Movie K — 03 Sep 2010

Inspiring story of a man who goes all the way to feed his family. Quite over-use storyline. Overall just ok. Movie begins with Russell Crowe winning a fight. Paul Giamatti is his manager and pays him his share.

Russell go home to see his family. Wife Renee Zellwenger is happy to see him. Their beginnings were poor in the 1930s Depression era. Russell sometimes doesn't get pick for the odd jobs at the dock.

His son stole meat and Russell want him to return. Told him they are poor but shouldn't steal and will never give him away. Russell has injured his right hand but still box as he needs the money. In a match he force to use right hand and then later the match is call off for his cheap shot.

The boss Bruce McGill fires him. Now he is jobless and nursing a broken right hand. But he still goes to work at the dock. Got to know another guy Paddy Considine, who help cover up his injured hand so he can continue to work.

Their electric got cut off for owning too much money. It is winter time and their son is sick. Renee send the 3 kids away and Russell is angry. He goes apply for relief fund and then to club house to find Bruce and others to plead for money.

He pays the bills and get the children back. Paul manage to get one match for Russell. He win by KO. Then days later Paul said he might be able to get him to fight again. Renee goes to find Paul but find out he is just as poor, sold away all furnitures.

Paul convinve Bruce to let Russell fight again. Russell trains hard and won the 1st match. 2nd match he got hurt around the ribs but still won and is the contender for the championship title. Paddy went missing for a few days and Russell found him injured and he died later.

Russell return the money to the relief fund. Bruce show him footage of the champion Craig Bierko delivering killer punch that kills one of the opponent. He ask if he wants to back out but Russell refuse.

Media dub him Cinderella Man. On match day, Renee fear for his life and goes to the church to pray for him and many others unknown also doing the same for him. In the final round, Craig give the killer punch and Russell counter attack as he remember the footage.

He win by points and is the new champion. 2 years later, he lost the title. Served in WWII, owned a heavy machine company, bought a house and live there forever raising their childrens there.