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| 5/5/05
- Cinderella Man is not the film you’d expect going in. One might
expect a real-life version of Rocky, with even more sentimentality. But
that is not what this film offers. Instead we get a vivid look into both
the Great Depression, and boxing. We see the big differences between our
little recession in the early part of this decade and the hopeless nature
of the collapse of the 1930s. The deep look into that part of Jim Braddock’s
story makes the boxing scenes stand out so much more for their vividness
and accuracy. One feels as if they are in the depression, and one feels
as if they are getting hit in the ring.
Russell Crowe portrays the dogged, moral determination of James J. Braddock with no flaws. As usual. Honesty is the touchstone of this character. And Paul Giamatti’s cornerman character works perfectly off the easy stillness of Crowe’s character. Renee Zellweger is making a habit of humorous, strong, and soft heroines, and this film is no different, but that’s not to say that she is phoning in the role. It is a perfect counterpart to Crowe’s Braddock. Very well done, and Oscar-worthy. - -C |
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| 5/4/05
- I was one of the lucky ones in Denver to receive passes to see this
movie last night. Ron Howard has done it again. Russell Crowe is absolutely
amazing as Braddock and Paul Giamatti is equally impressive. One of the
rare times you will see a “period” movie and feel like you
are actually watching the story take place as it happens. I couldn’t
help but think about “Rocky” while I was watching. The story
is true so it makes you wonder if Sly Stallone didn’t pattern his
movie after James Braddock. What an inspirational story. In the age of
greedy athletes today, it’s incredible to see a true “Rags
to Riches” story about a great man not only in the ring but in his
personal life as well. I would give this movie 5 out of 5 stars. -- D.
Brad Hahn Back to CM News |