Cinderella Man (2005)

The story of James Braddock, a supposedly washed up boxer who came back to become a champion and an inspiration in the 1930s.

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

Cliff Hollingsworth (screenplay), Akiva Goldsman (screenplay),

Stars:

Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 25 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Russell Crowe	...	Jim Braddock
Renée Zellweger	...	Mae Braddock
Paul Giamatti	...	Joe Gould
Craig Bierko	...	Max Baer
Paddy Considine	...	Mike Wilson
Bruce McGill	...	Jimmy Johnston
David Huband	...	Ford Bond
Connor Price	...	Jay Braddock
Ariel Waller	...	Rosemarie Braddock
Patrick Louis	...	Howard Braddock
Rosemarie DeWitt	...	Sara
Linda Kash	...	Lucille Gould
Nicholas Campbell	...	Sporty Lewis
Gene Pyrz	...	Jake
Chuck Shamata	...	Father Rorick

Storyline

During the Great Depression, a common-man hero, James J. Braddock--a.k.a. the Cinderella Man--was to become one of the most surprising sports legends in history. By the early 1930s, the impoverished ex-prizefighter was seemingly as broken-down, beaten-up and out-of-luck as much of the rest of the American populace who had hit rock bottom. His career appeared to be finished, he was unable to pay the bills, the only thing that mattered to him--his family--was in danger, and he was even forced to go on Public Relief. But deep inside, Jim Braddock never relinquished his determination. Driven by love, honor and an incredible dose of grit, he willed an impossible dream to come true. In a last-chance bid to help his family, Braddock returned to the ring. No one thought he had a shot. However Braddock, fueled by something beyond mere competition, kept winning. Suddenly, the ordinary working man became the mythic athlete. Carrying the hopes and dreams of the disenfranchised on his shoulders, ...

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Plot Keywords:

boxing | boxer | 1930s | love | dream | 

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Taglines:

One man's extraordinary fight to save the family he loved.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense boxing violence and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Universal [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 June 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

El luchador

Filming Locations:

Distillery District, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$88,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$467,798 (Australia) (14 October 2005)

Gross:

$61,644,321 (USA) (25 November 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Miramax Films, Imagine Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

144 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Russell Crowe lost more than 50 pounds, weighing only 176 pounds for his role (compare to 228 pounds in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World).

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Goofs

Jimmy Braddock passes a movie poster for the film S.O.S. Iceberg, misspelled "Iceburg."

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Quotes

[first lines]
Joe Gould: Attaboy! Keep him busy!

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Crazy Credits

Before the Title appears the following: "In all the history of the boxing game, you'll find no human interest story to compare with the life narrative of James J. Braddock." - Damon Runyon (1936)

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Connections

Featured in HBO First Look: Cinderella Man (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble"
(1917)
Written by Spencer Williams
Performed by Miff Mole and His Molers
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Licensing

User Reviews

Old story well told!

Geez, another boxing movie! Yeah, Yeah, I know the story. Down and out guy gets a break and makes the most of it. He's fighting for his family, he's fighting for all those other hopeless people. Been there, done that.

Oh, I forgot to mention one thing. This movie is about the best 140 minute I've spent in a movie theater since . . . . since . . . ., Oh, well, you get the picture. Better yet, instead of getting the picture, go see it.

Russell Crowe owns the character of James Braddock, the unlikely hero who makes the most of his second chance. He's a good fighter turned hack. Injury, bad luck and this thing called the Depression sends him down the drain.

His wife, Mae, played by Renee Zelleweger, wants to be his biggest fan, but the kids need a dad, the rent has to get paid and the money from boxing dried up along time ago. Her husband's courage is undoubted, but his nerve is killing her.

And then there's Joe Gould, played by Paul Giamatti.

A boxer by the name of George Cochan once told me his manager was the bravest man he ever knew, he was willing to pit his man (Cochan) against anyone. As a result, Cochan had his head handed to him multiple times by the likes of Jake LaMotta and other class middle weights of the Forties and Fifties. Gould, is that brave manager, if not literally, in spirit. He pits Braddock, out of shape and with one day notice, against the number two heavy weight contender. Regardless of the risk, it's a pay day needed by both Gould and Braddock.

The story, while familiar, is executed brilliantly. The camera work is both subtle and, in turn, spectacular. Craig Bierko, Paddy Considine, Bruce McGill and the rest of the cast give flawless performances.

Yes, been there, done that! And I'm ready to do it again for anyone who wants to go with me.