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 & 41 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 the ones who are do 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...

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Plot Keywords:

boxing | friendship between men | gender in title | max baer | boxing champion | 

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Taglines:

When America was on its knees, he brought us to our feet.

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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, Wide Release

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

Braddock's real children were supportive of this movie as long as it portrayed their dad accurately. They even shared insight and some family letters to help with the screenplay.

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Goofs

When Mae and the kids are stealing wood and see a man leaving his wife, the man walks past a modern style blue USPS postal collection box. In the 1930s the boxes were olive drab colored and were squarer in design.

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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 Hollywood's Top Ten: Russell Crowe Movies (2010)

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Soundtracks

Tillies Downtown Now
Written by Bud Freeman (as Lawrence {Bud} Freeman)
Performed by Bud Freeman and His Windy City Five
Courtesy of EMI Records
Under License from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

Wonderful!

This is a truly great film. Russel Crowe, Rene Zellweger and Paul Giametti were all fabulous. Russell Crowe is the best actor of our time. I am not a boxing fan, but I was so engrossed by the character of the Cinderalla Man that I was totally involved in every punch. I didn't know how the story would end, so I had the added thrill of suspense during the final fight.

The story of a family in the midst of the Great Depression was as compelling as the boxing story. The solid family man played by Russell gives us a much needed role model. The historical and socio-economic background was powerfully shown and greatly added to the audience's involvement and is particularly relevant to today. This is a classic film.