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, Craig Bierko

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 16 wins & 42 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 | friendship between men | gender in title | max baer | boxing champion | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense boxing violence and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Universal [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 June 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cinderella Man

Filming Locations:

Downsview Park Studios, 40 Carl Hall Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$88,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,320,205, 5 June 2005

Gross USA:

$61,649,911

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$108,539,911

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Miramax, 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

The cinematographer invented a "tire-cam" which is a camera cushioned inside a tire and behind Plexiglas. This allowed the professional boxers to hit the tire to create realistic reactions from a first-person point-of-view.

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Goofs

Jimmy Braddock goes to Central Park in March 1935, and walks through a Hooverville in search of his friend, Mike Wilson. At the time, it had been gone for almost 2 years. Central Park's Hooverville was located in the drained reservoir, not on the grass as portrayed in the film. When adequate fill was found for the area, the homeless were evicted, and the area was transformed into the park's Great Lawn. Landscaping work was completed by April 1933. In 1935, New York's primary Depression Hooverville was on 10th Avenue, near the East River.

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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 The Hour: Episode #7.58 (2010)

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Soundtracks

Danny Boy/Londonderry Air
(uncredited)
Traditional
Lyrics by Frederick Edward Weatherly
Performed by Paul Giamatti

User Reviews

Wonderful!!!

This is the best film Ron Howard has ever done. They really caught lightning in a bottle with this one. All the departments brought their A game to the table. I especially loved the editing and cinematography.

The cast is perfect and, under Ron Howard's confident hand, all give amazing performances. Russel Crowe's soulful performance puts him back in Maximus territory here and, boy, was this cat born to play these types of roles. Bruce McGill is in it (San Antonio, represent!!!) and that's always a good thing.

My only complaint (if it can be called that) is that the boxing sequences break no new ground. They are very reminiscent of the boxing sequences in Raging Bull. They are so well executed, however, that I quickly forgot about this small nitpick.

The script works on so many levels, it's not even funny. There is plenty of time devoted to character development and it pays off handsomely in the long run as we really care about Jim Braddock every time he steps in the ring.

All in all, Cinderella Man is a rousing, classy film that utterly satisfies.