Cinderella Man

I was honestly surprised by this movie. I thought it would be good, I thought that Crowe would be stupendous, I thought it was a great inspiring story that would be well told.

It is all that, but it also has such a resonance that it surprised me. The movie works on several levels.
First, it is a boxing movie. The boxing sequences are wonderful, really well done, intense, you never feel that you have gotten lost in the action, and yet you get a viceral thrill, feeling like you are in the ring, right there, being hit at times. Second, it is a family drama. One of the more realistic, about a good man, and a good father, and his wife, a good mother and wife, and thier kids, generally well behaved, who are going through a very tough time. It is realistic, no one is perfect, but it also inspires us to be like him. More on that later.
Third, it is a drama of a man fighting for life against the odds. Not as a warrior, but as a man facing the one thing he can't hit. As Braddock says, in the ring, at least he knows who's punching him.

The movie is a true story. James Braddock was a good fighter, never been knocked out, and was doing well, had a terrific right, not so good left. When the depression hit, he lost everything, and he broke his hand, and began losing fights, causeing his license to be taken away. He tried to get work on the docks, it was tough, sold everything he still had. He finally got some work (despite a broken right hand). He was finally hired, on a whim almost, to give one last fight, go out in style, against the #2 heavyweight champion at the time. He, without really being in shape or having trained for years, KO'd the guy in 3 rounds. He was given a second chance, causing the nick name, and went on to win the heavyweight title. Oh, and he was never knocked out:)

You couldn't make up this story. People think it is a fairy tale. It wasn't. And his wins weren't easy. But he was a plucky Irishman, and was able to take the punches, give them back, and stick it out.

Russell Crowe is one of the best actors ever, and probably the best of his generation. He has a power, and yet also a sensetivity that comes into his performances. Here, he is convincing as a New Jersey born, lower class fighter. A good father, a loving husband. His scenes with Rene Zellweger, who also does a phenomenal job, are perfect. The things that aren't said, or the subtext to what is said is on their faces. You feel they are real people, in real situations. The other actors, particularly Paul Giamatti (who was great in Sideways) are great also. Giamatti is the trainer, a guy with a fast mouth, a flashy exterior, but also a good guy deep down. A man motivated by doing right, but also by making money. He is good at what he does. Giamatti gets it right, he is the trainer, a role that could be sappy, but he, like Clint Eastwood, invests the character with dignity and reality. One interesting bit of trivia, the woman who plays the neighbor, Sara, is Braddock's granddaughter.

The direction, lighting, sound, everything are great. Ron Howard knows where to put his camera, and what to cut out of shots. The film looks real, it has the depression era look. The special effects are invisible. We know that New York doesn't look like that anymore, but you can't tell that the skyline is fake, and you don't see a difference between the skyline and the street shots.

The main thing that is impressive, however, is the story. This is a GREAT story. And the little things in it are well done. They way Braddock deals with his family. His son steals a salami, and Braddock knows that he stole because he is afraid of starving, and of being sent away. He is firm, he makes the boy return it, but he is kind as well. He deals with everyone this way. Calmly, carefully, but firmly. The fact that he is a family man, and a true family man, is impressive in a Hollywood movie. He is the hero, he is the one who is doing right. He is a strong father. He gives back the relief money he recieved, he isn't ashamed to realize he needs help, and to ask humbly. I was close to tears in these scenes. Like in Hotel Rwanda, he is a good man, and that is what moves me.

I can't say enough about this film. GO SEE IT. You will enjoy it. Yes, there is some swearing. Quite a bit at times actually, but in keeping with the time period, and with the class of people we are seeing. Other than that, it is a clean movie (unless you don't like the violence of boxing). This is the best movie I have seen this year.

GO SEE IT. Here is the trailer. GO SEE IT!!!