Cinderella Man (Widescreen Edition)

This is one of the best movies I've ever seen. I really like the story and the actors in it. It's a film based on true events, and I used it as one of my history class assignments.

Excellent to watch.

Not sure how this gets less than 5 stars. I'd wonder what movies someone gives a 5, if not this one. Great acting, lessons, film making, and tracks surprisingly close to the true story. Very well done all the way around.

The song was good and the movie is better.

"Cinderella Man", Ron Howard's heart-felt film biography of boxing legend James J. Braddock, never received the recognition it deserved when first released, due, in large part, to Russell Crowe's bad press following a telephone-throwing incident. Overzealous critics tended to lump the incident and film together, and despite Crowe's public apology, many moviegoers skipped it. Now that the film is available on DVD, it's time to acknowledge the film for what it always HAS been; director Howard and star Crowe's FINEST film, together!Braddock's story is so amazing and inspirational, that it is astonishing that it's taken seventy years to tell it. Sylvester Stallone 'borrowed' from it, extensively, in creating "Rocky", and in viewing the film, the parallels between fact and fiction are obvious; Braddock had been an 'up and comer' in the twenties, but broken bones and ill-advised matches had cost him a championship shot. Then the Depression struck, Braddock was wiped out, financially, and he struggled to support his wife and family through the most harrowing period in American history. Considered 'washed up' and too old for a comeback, all the boxer had going for him was his wife's love, his manager's faith, and his personal integrity, which refused to allow him to give up. He tenaciously climbed back up the ranks of younger title contenders, earning the adoration of a country trying to rebuild their own lives, as well, until, finally, he had his championship match, against ruthless 'killing machine' Max Baer. Their match would become the stuff of legends!To director Howard's credit, he never 'over-sentimentalizes' the story, or tries to turn it into a soft-focus 'fairy tale'. His vision of the Depression is the most accurate and heartbreaking since the documentaries of the '30s, and will come as a revelation to those whose only knowledge of the period is a paragraph in a history book. Jim Braddock is not a 'Superman', but a hard-working, decent man with no higher vision than to provide his family a better life, and as magnificently portrayed by Crowe, he embodies qualities of honesty and dignity that many of us dream of, but seldom achieve. In any other year, he'd be a shoo-in for an Oscar for his performance, it's that good!Matching Crowe's portrayal are Renée Zellweger, as his loyal wife, Mae, who perfectly channels a '30s 'style', as well as a gutsiness that is timeless, and the wonderful Paul Giamatti, as manager Joe Gould, who would sell everything he owned, rather than see Braddock give up. Giamatti, a veteran character actor who finally saw his 'breakthrough' in last year's "Sideways", should finally get his long-deserved Oscar, for this role."Cinderella Man" is a film that will continue to be cherished long after the filmmakers are gone, a tale rooted in an earlier era, but still timeless.Movies just don't get better than this!

I don't know many people that get a second chance...."Directed by Ron Howard, 'CM' is biographical account based on the story of James Braddock; set during the period of the vreat depression, Braddock (Russell Crowe) pursues a boxing career despite opposition from his wife (Renee Zellweger) and the challenges faced during his daily life.This movie starts with Braddock losing a boxing match and being dropped as a professional fighter. This introduction of our man characters assists the story telling in that the director gives the audience enough time to absorb the amount of information and changes that happen over the course of time without it feeling overbearing or being dragged out. For people that aren't big fans of boxing, this is helpful and encourages engagement that might otherwise not be naturally present.On that note, the director also dpes an excellent job of showing the audience the challenges Braddock faces outside of his boxing career. He is struggling financially as work is few and far between. His children are at risk of being sent away (to be taken care of elsewhere) due to being unable to provide for his family. My point being - that the film turns in to less of a boxing movie, and is really a story about hope and overcoming advertisy at times where it is not easily found.In addition to my previous point, the emotional range of the characters grounds this film and makes the events that occur within them seem realistic. The tone of the movie changes as much as the characters do, and the audience isn't objected to behaviors or scenes that feel exxagerated or un-relatable. My only critism is that sometimes the changes that occur over time with the characters isn't explained as well as they could have been (specifically, the attitude of Braddock's wife) but it doesn't make this movie any less of a success.In my own research it appears that the film is historically accurate, although some (minimal) changes were made to Braddock's story specifically. I can't determine what the reasoning for this is, but it is speculated that this was done to keep Braddock in a favorable light at all times. I think that most people agree that this wasn't necessary, but it doesn't make the movie stray too far from the historical events that are portrayed throughout.A heart warming story that anyone can enjoy. I would recommend!

Love this movie. Thank you.