Cinderella Man (DVD)

Cinderella Man is an excellent film, i watched it at the cinema because it was the only film they had tickets left for at the last minute and enjoyed it so much i wanted it on DVD.
Russell Crowe played his part as an ordinary yet talented working class man trying to provide for his family throughout the dark days of the 1930's American great depression.
The fight scenes were also excellent, and was on par and sometimes superior to Raging Bull.
The supporting cast were also reasonable, the directing top notch, and i am suprised Ron Howard wasn't at least nominated for best director at the Oscars.

I thought this was an above average film, especially as it was boxing related, which - apart from a few exceptions like Raging Bull and Million Dollar Baby - tend to be quite formulaic and samey.

What lifts this film is the obvious strength of character of Braddock which comes across very clearly (as well as the slide into desperation as his situation deteriates), the excellent supporting performances and not least the performance put in by Crowe, who has to be the most convincing mainstream actor currently doing the rounds.

I disagree with a previous poster; this is no Raging Bull. But it is a quality film and deserves a viewing. Recommended.

Quite simply, the best movie I've seen in some years. The life-story of James J. Braddock is fascinating anyway. What makes this film so much better than most boxing films is that it shows Braddock's fighting escapades in the context of wider events.

It begins in 1928, with a young Braddock storming up the ratings - too early for his own good. When Tommy Loughran showed up all his inexperience and trounced him in 1929, Braddock's life went on the slide. The Great Depression took him to the bottom. Eventually, he had to beg money to keep his kids. We are shown all the troubles of the Depression years, including a good scene in the Hooverville.

A freak accident to a contender got Braddock one last fight. Against all the odds, he beat Corn Griffiths, the No.2 contender at Madison Square Garden in 1934. His manager, Joe Gould - also excellently portrayed in the film - talked him into an elimination series on the stregth of it. By now, working in the docks had toughened Braddocks resolve, and he won, won, and kept winning. The big prize was a championship fight against Max Baer, one of the most devastating punchers of all time - he'd already killed two men in the ring. The problem with Baer was that he was a playboy. He took Braddock too lightly - and lost.

In some ways, Jimmy Braddock's title win signalled the beginning of the end of the Depression. Ordinary New Yorkers took heart from it, and a new confidence started to emerge. It is a truly great story - and well portrayed in the film.
At times, it dramatizes - the last round against Baer was poor, both men being worn out. In the film, the last round is a stormer - but then that's film-making, isn't it? Overall, the accuracies far outweigh the inaccuraciea. It's well researched, well made, and well acted throughout.

See this. Jimmy Braddock's life story is inspirational, as is the film about him. I rented it first, and liked it so much I bought it.

"Cinderella Man" is a terrific boxing picture, but there's no great need for another one. The need it fills is for a full-length portrait of a good man. Most serious movies live in a world of cynicism and irony, and most good-hearted movie characters live in bad movies. Here is a movie where a good man prevails in a world where every day is an invitation to despair, where resentment would seem fully justified, where doing the right thing seems almost gratuitous, because nobody is looking and nobody cares.

I love sports. I know about Jim Braddock from history. The reviews were brilliant,I was not let down. Most important, the quality was excellent.

Great film one that you could watch over and over again, I already own a copy but i have bought this copy as a gift.

just like the film that is why i perchased it. wanted it in my collection. love boxing love james braddock so i love the cinderella man

An excellent performance by Russell Crowe and with a director like Ron Howard one can only expect the best. The fight sequences are realistic as are the settings for the 1930's America. A very, very enjoyable film which can be watched again and again.

This is a fantastic film wheather you like boxing or not.
It is a true and moving story of a family trying to survive through the American depression and a tale of courage and honour.
Well recommended.

i really enjoyed this movie when i saw it at the cinema. you dont have to be a boxing fan either well worth a watch

bought it after seeing an advert for the film - never heard of it before buying it - but was a good buy - great film great acting by the 2 stars.

This must be one of Russell Crowe's best films. He plays the part of Braddock with both feeling and compassion,[ not something that Crowe is well known for]
But in this film he gives a brilliant performance. The film captures both the time and feeling aroung the 'Great Depression' period in the thirties. Well worth buying, even if your not a boxing fan.

As a boxing fan I thought I would give it a go. Corny but entertaining enough at the time but not as thought provoking as the documentary about the same boxer on discovery channel!