I’ve been a fan of Ron Howard’s films (How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Apollo 13, Ransom) pretty much since 1988 when he directed an amusing fantasy film called Willow. I’m also a big fan of Russell Crowe (L.A. Confidential, The Insider), especially considering he starred in two of my all-time favourite films, Gladiator and Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World. Howard and Crowe came together for the first time in 2001 to create another brilliant true-life film called A Beautiful Mind. And when I heard that they were teaming up once again to portray the life of boxer Jim Braddock I expected great things.I love it when my expectations are realized. Especially when they’re in the form of a $7.99 previously-viewed DVD from Blockbuster.
Cinderella Man depicts not only the life of a supposedly washed-out boxer named Jim Braddock, but also the lives of most people trying to survive the Great Depression of the 1930s. At the height of his career Braddock had never been knocked out and was a contender for the championship. But the stock market crash and resulting depression took nearly everything Jim had. Cinderella Man shows the struggles and triumphs of Braddock and his family as they do everything they can to simply survive. Which just happens to include a return to the boxing ring.
There are a number of factors at work that make Cinderella Man such a terrific film. First and foremost has to be the story itself. There are many inspiring real-life stories out there but I can’t imagine a time when America would have needed one more than during the Great Depression. Ron Howard pulls no punches (pardon the pun) in depicting the quality of life for those affected, specifically Braddock (Crowe), his wife Mae (Renee Zellweger) and their three young children. Watching this family struggle through thick and thin is all the more incredible when you realize that it’s a true story. While Braddock’s rise to fame in the boxing ring is terrifically stirring, it’s Braddock’s character and integrity as a husband and father that are truly inspiring.
Added to a wonderful story is wonderful acting. Russell Crowe does a fine job as the under-estimated boxer Braddock. Not only is it obvious that he prepared physically for the role, but he convincingly displays the traits one would expect from a caring family man who must do just about anything to ensure his family stays together and survives. Renee Zellweger plays the character of Braddock’s wife with enthusiasm and realism. I’m not a huge fan of the Zellweger herself, something about her just irritates me, but I can’t deny that she’s a talented actor (e.g. Chicago, Jerry Maguire) and this is probably the best work I’ve seen her do. Paul Giamatti (Sideways) portrays Braddock’s relentless trainer and promoter, Joe Gould. I’ve always liked Giamatti and I think he’s one of Hollywood’s under-appreciated actors, though he did receive an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in Cinderella Man. Gould’s own struggles during the depression are brought to life with an incredible performance by Giamatti.
Bringing the story and the acting together in perfect unison is Ron Howard’s superb direction. There seems to be a lot going on in this film but the pacing is such that you never feel overwhelmed or confused by any of it. Everything from the sets and costumes to the lighting and cinematography are near perfect in every scene. You really get a good feel for the lives of both the rich and poor during the early 1930s while becoming wrapped up in the incredible life of Jim Braddock and his family. It might be hard not to think of Rocky when you’re watching a boxing movie, but Howard makes it easy to realize that Cinderella Man is much more than just a boxing movie. He makes you believe that Braddock really did bring a nation to its feet at a time when it needed it most.
The DVD itself is presented in an Anamorphic 2.35:1 video format and the picture is just fine. The colors are washed out slightly in order to portray a more drabby image of the depression era. However the sharpness and contrast of the film does not suffer one bit and the picture looked near high definition. A Dolby Digital 5.1 track is included and I can’t really find anything to complain about it other than the fact that it’s not DTS (for shame!). To be perfectly honest I didn’t realize pay too much attention to the picture or the sound. The story and the film are just so well done that it probably wouldn’t have mattered. In the end though, the video and audio simply add to an already enjoyable movie experience.
I realized after the fact that a 2-disc Collector’s Edition exists for Cinderella Man. You’d think I know by now there’s always another edition. As it is, the bonus features included on the single-disc version aren’t bad. Several deleted scenes are included, all of which are terrific moments that, in my opinion, could have easily been left in the theatrical cut. I guess I’m in a minority of people who actually enjoy 3 hour films. Also included are no less that 3 full-length feature commentaries and a number of featurettes that I haven’t the chance to watch yet. With all this it’s hard to imagine what else would be included on the 2-disc set. For $7.99 though, you really can’t go wrong with the single-disc version. Beware though! A dreaded ‘Full Screen’ edition also exists. I don’t need to tell you to avoid it like the plague. Right?
Cinderella Man has only increased my appreciation for both Ron Howard and Russell Crowe. They’ve managed to create another fantastic film that entertains and inspires. If you liked A Beautiful Mind I can’t imagine you not loving Cinderella Man. So leave a comment and let me know when you’re coming over to watch it. I’ll have the popcorn ready.
Cinderella Man gets 9 right-jabs (out of 10).
Duck, weave and throw a left-hook here for ‘Cinderella Man’ trivia.
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