Cinderella Man

I attended a screening for the movie Cinderella Man this evening. The previews lead me to believe it was a movie about boxing. It was and it wasn't. To me it was more a story of America's struggles during the Great Depression and how one man inspired a nation. James J. Braddock (played by Russell Crowe) was a boxer who had moderate success in the late 20's. His career floundered as he suffered various injuries. His finances were decimated by the stock market crash and loss of his boxing license. He reaches the point where he has to beg for work on the loading docks. Out of the blue, he gets a second chance when another fighter is unable to go in a tune up fight for a contender. He makes the most of his opportunity. The human story was gripping. The fights scenes were brutal and riveting. I strongly recommend this movie. NOT for little kids as the fight scene is graphic.

Renée Zellweger played Braddock's wife and at times seemed to be trying to play Adrian from the Rocky movies.

Doing a little research for this post I found out James Braddock actual acted in one movie. He had a minor part in a 1969 movie called Muhammad Ali, the Greatest.