Cinderella Man is the true story of James Braddock a once promising boxer during the Great Depression who’s turned into a stepping stone, taking fights for the paycheck in between working shifts on the dockyard just to put food on the table for his kids. When it looks like there’s no other option he gets the chance to fight a top contender, and has the chance to change his family’s future.
Starring Russell Crowe as Braddock the film manages to equally capture the grit required to survive in the ring and the grit required to survive in 1930’s America. If this wasn’t a true story you might accuse the film of being over the top and hamming up the drama, but knowing it truly happened the film becomes an inspiration. Nominated for a host of awards for best actor, supporting actor, editing and other categories the filming and lighting captures the vintage boxing scenes brilliantly. The radio style commentary, flashbulbs used to emphasise heavy blows and costumes give the impression of an old time fight poster brought to life.
The film is on the lengthy side at two hours twenty five, so settle in for the long haul, but its well worth the watch and is a definite classic boxing movie.
“For two hundred and fifty dollars I would fight your wife!”
– Jim Braddock when his manager tells him how much his next fight purse is.
Our Rating
4.5 stars out of 5