Cinderella Man – movie review

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Cinderella Man is the story of depression era boxer James J. Braddock played by Russell Crowe. In the late 1920’s, Braddock was a title contender living in comfort if not richness. After a loss in a title fight and nagging injuries, Braddock became a washed up boxer. The market crash left his investments worthless and his family destitute.

In the middle of the depression, Braddock got a second chance. After stepping into a high profile fight, Braddock got an unexpected chance to revive his boxing career and try for another title shot.

While boxing is a central point of the movie, the story really is about Braddock’s struggle to provide for his family during the depression and the problems they face as he has difficulty finding work when there are not enough jobs. At the same time, feeling as if he has failed his family, he wants to earn back their pride in him.

Renee Zellweger plays Braddock’s wife Mae who is torn between needing the money provided by boxing and the desire for her husband to be safe.

Crowe and Zellweger work well together on screen. They portray a couple who are deeply committed in their marriage and to their family. The movie depends on this relationship for its success. It is the catalyst for Braddock’s return to the ring and emotionally involves the audience in his story.

Honeybun commented this is a movie that has everything. She said, “it made me laugh and cry and even like boxing.�

The movie is rated PG-13 for some brutal boxing scenes. There are a couple times the movie seems formulaic such as an obligatory training scene with Braddock and a speed bag (reminiscent of Rocky movies). Honeybun also pointed out that Crowe had difficulty maintaining his Jersey accent throughout the film.

Even though centered on Braddock’s boxing come back, the movie succeeds on its story of James and Mae. This is a movie couples will enjoy. Best movie yet this year.

3 ½ stars

  • Anonymous

    Honeybun's review on Netflix I was looking forward to seeing this movie but was worried it would not live up to the hype. I had nothing to worry about. This movie is the best movie I have seen this year. The movie is about a boxer in the 20's, James Braddock; played by Russell Crowe, who ends up losing everything in the market crash of the great depression. His wife, played by Renee Zellweger, stays by his side throughout the struggle and supports him. It is a touching story of second chances and fighting with every fiber of strength you have to survive. The movie made me laugh and cry and even cheer for Braddock in the ring. Crowe and Zellweger have great chemistry and made very believable characters. It was filmed well and the only real flaw I could find was that Crowe's accent changed in the movie a bit, sometimes it was true Jersey and sometimes it was American and then once in awhile it had a hint of New York. It wasn't something that ruined the movie though. I went to this movie with my husband. We have had our own struggles and could really identify with Braddock and the entire movie. My single brother-in-law went with us and didn't like the movie. I think because he couldn't relate with any character. He is single, young and going to college living the fun life. This movie might not touch the young generation but anyone with a family who has struggled to make ends meet will go away with a belief in second chances.

  • Anonymous

    Honeybun's review on Netflix I was looking forward to seeing this movie but was worried it would not live up to the hype. I had nothing to worry about. This movie is the best movie I have seen this year. The movie is about a boxer in the 20's, James Braddock; played by Russell Crowe, who ends up losing everything in the market crash of the great depression. His wife, played by Renee Zellweger, stays by his side throughout the struggle and supports him. It is a touching story of second chances and fighting with every fiber of strength you have to survive. The movie made me laugh and cry and even cheer for Braddock in the ring. Crowe and Zellweger have great chemistry and made very believable characters. It was filmed well and the only real flaw I could find was that Crowe's accent changed in the movie a bit, sometimes it was true Jersey and sometimes it was American and then once in awhile it had a hint of New York. It wasn't something that ruined the movie though. I went to this movie with my husband. We have had our own struggles and could really identify with Braddock and the entire movie. My single brother-in-law went with us and didn't like the movie. I think because he couldn't relate with any character. He is single, young and going to college living the fun life. This movie might not touch the young generation but anyone with a family who has struggled to make ends meet will go away with a belief in second chances.

  • Anonymous

    Honeybun’s review on Netflix

    I was looking forward to seeing this movie but was worried it would not live up to the hype. I had nothing to worry about. This movie is the best movie I have seen this year. The movie is about a boxer in the 20’s, James Braddock; played by Russell Crowe, who ends up losing everything in the market crash of the great depression. His wife, played by Renee Zellweger, stays by his side throughout the struggle and supports him. It is a touching story of second chances and fighting with every fiber of strength you have to survive. The movie made me laugh and cry and even cheer for Braddock in the ring. Crowe and Zellweger have great chemistry and made very believable characters. It was filmed well and the only real flaw I could find was that Crowe’s accent changed in the movie a bit, sometimes it was true Jersey and sometimes it was American and then once in awhile it had a hint of New York. It wasn’t something that ruined the movie though. I went to this movie with my husband. We have had our own struggles and could really identify with Braddock and the entire movie. My single brother-in-law went with us and didn’t like the movie. I think because he couldn’t relate with any character. He is single, young and going to college living the fun life. This movie might not touch the young generation but anyone with a family who has struggled to make ends meet will go away with a belief in second chances.

  • Anonymous

    Honeybun’s review on Netflix

    I was looking forward to seeing this movie but was worried it would not live up to the hype. I had nothing to worry about. This movie is the best movie I have seen this year. The movie is about a boxer in the 20’s, James Braddock; played by Russell Crowe, who ends up losing everything in the market crash of the great depression. His wife, played by Renee Zellweger, stays by his side throughout the struggle and supports him. It is a touching story of second chances and fighting with every fiber of strength you have to survive. The movie made me laugh and cry and even cheer for Braddock in the ring. Crowe and Zellweger have great chemistry and made very believable characters. It was filmed well and the only real flaw I could find was that Crowe’s accent changed in the movie a bit, sometimes it was true Jersey and sometimes it was American and then once in awhile it had a hint of New York. It wasn’t something that ruined the movie though. I went to this movie with my husband. We have had our own struggles and could really identify with Braddock and the entire movie. My single brother-in-law went with us and didn’t like the movie. I think because he couldn’t relate with any character. He is single, young and going to college living the fun life. This movie might not touch the young generation but anyone with a family who has struggled to make ends meet will go away with a belief in second chances.

  • Julie D.

    Thanks for this review because as far as I could see this looked like a Rocky remake … more or less ya know. I am not very fond of Russell Crowe or Renee Zellweger but at least now if one of the kids gets this movie to rent I won't run in the other direction. 🙂

  • Julie D.

    Thanks for this review because as far as I could see this looked like a Rocky remake … more or less ya know. I am not very fond of Russell Crowe or Renee Zellweger but at least now if one of the kids gets this movie to rent I won't run in the other direction. 🙂

  • Thanks for this review because as far as I could see this looked like a Rocky remake … more or less ya know. I am not very fond of Russell Crowe or Renee Zellweger but at least now if one of the kids gets this movie to rent I won’t run in the other direction. 🙂

  • Thanks for this review because as far as I could see this looked like a Rocky remake … more or less ya know. I am not very fond of Russell Crowe or Renee Zellweger but at least now if one of the kids gets this movie to rent I won’t run in the other direction. 🙂