Cinderella Man

I need to give a quick thumbs-up for the movie Cinderella Man (recently released on DVD). It is the real-life story of depression-era boxer Jim Braddock. He's a down-on-his-luck fighter past his prime just trying to keep food on the table for his family. Injuries and age make him to lose his fighting license, but he gets a second chance and makes the most of it.

Russell Crowe again shows why he is one of the best actors of our time, and does a superb job playing a character who we empathize with, admire, and cheer for. Despite his rude, arrogant offscreen personality he has a way of finding his way into some of my very favorite movies (Gladiator, Master and Commander, Beautiful Mind). If only he could display in real life some of the admirable qualities he is capable of showing on film.

Cinderella Man is right up there among my very favorite sports movies (and non-sports movies). The acting is top-notch. The boxing scenes are realistic. There are quiet, tender moments that may cause a small tear to well up inside (not that I cried). It can be enjoyed by men and women alike. It is the kind of hopeful, uncynical movie they need to make more of these days.

My rating: 5 stars.


My all-time sports favorites:
1. Hoosiers (still gives me goosebumps at the end)
2. Cinderella Man
3. The Natural
4. Remember the Titans
5. Chariots of Fire