My thoughts on watching the Cinderella Man DVD:

People say you need to see a film in the theater on a big screen to really appreciate it, but there is also something to be said for watching a movie in the quiet and privacy of your own home.

You can savor parts of it– pause to watch a particular scene or an expression of one of the actors that speaks especially to you. You can see the director’s sure hand. You can hear the score as if for the first time, understanding the significance of the choice of mood and song for this or that scene. You can appreciate the visual richness of the cinematography and the bleakness too during the Depression scenes.

All of this happened to me when I watched, for the third time, Cinderella Man, this time on DVD.

I realized how the critics under appreciated Rene Zellweger’s acting as Mae Braddock, and how I had let it pass by before. She shows such anguish as a mother unable to help her children, while still keeping a brave face on life for their sakes and for her husband Jim’s sake too. The moment when she had to leave the house and then stand against the brick wall outside in the cold crying with despair will stay with me for a long time. She brings such heart and faith and simplicity to her role.

The talent of Paul Giamatti is on full view as well. He adds sparkle and humor to the film as manager Joe Gould. His love for his fighter over their years together shows up in scene after scene. They understand each other perfectly, and one, in a sense, completes the other.

And what more can be said about Russell’s role as Braddock? He honors the real Jim Braddock in such a fine and brilliant way. In creating the “Irishness,” the earthiness and simplicity of a good man with a special talent, Russell once again shows us why he is one of the world’s premier actors. We know now the physical hurt he personally underwent in making the film, so when we see Braddock carrying on with a broken hand, we understand a bit more how real was Russell's portrayal of Jim’s pain and suffering.

There are so many scenes in the film to remember, but to me, the one in the fight club where Braddock has to beg for money stands out as a brilliant collaborative example. We see Ron Howard the director’s skill in setting up the scene and in building bit by bit on the tension and the embarrassment almost visible in the room. We see all the supporting players do their part in bringing the spotlight squarely on Russell as he walks among them, hat in hand. His whole body in the scene, and not just his expressive face, says defeat and exhaustion and fear. He is truly a man at the end of his rope. Ending the episode with him and Joe in a corner together, one actually apologizing for being there, the other almost speechless with empathy and understanding shows Howard’s gift of reaching into the heart of his actors and passing that vision on to us.

I am in the middle now of watching Cinderella Man, and still have Braddock’s climb back up to enjoy, but already I know how outstanding the movie is, and how much of a puzzle it still is to me that the public did not give it the chance it deserved.

If it and the actors in it are not recognized by their peers and the critics as this awards season begins, it is a crying shame!

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I also encourage everyone to buy the collector's edition of the movie. The extra cost is well worth it. The story of "Jimmy the Boxer," Russell's own painful journey in creating the role, is a must see to fully understand how he became "Cinderella Man," and for showing the intensity and commitment he brings to every part he plays.