Cinderella Man

The true story of James J. Braddock

Ron Howard tells the story of James J. Braddock, an Irish-American heavyweight from New Jersey. By the early 1930s the 1929 crash has ruined him, his hands are battered and he loses more than he wins. He works day shifts on the docks and ends up applying for public relief. The press of the time nicknamed him "Cinderella Man" for his unexpected comeback. The film builds to the world heavyweight title fight of 13 June 1935 against Max Baer, the champion and a feared puncher.

The ring as a 1930s boxer saw it

Every fight scene was shot at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, and a city department store was redressed as Madison Square Garden. Angelo Dundee, trainer of Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, is credited as the film's boxing trainer and appears on screen. Russell Crowe boxes convincingly: high guard, left hook, body work and short steps, the way fighters moved over fifteen rounds back then. Boxers will notice the care given to the corner, the manager's role and the cutmen between rounds.

Paul Giamatti plays Joe Gould, the manager who believes in Braddock when nobody else does. Craig Bierko plays Max Baer and Paddy Considine a docker friend of Braddock's.

Reception

Released in the United States on 3 June 2005, the film cost 88 million dollars and grossed 108.5 million worldwide. Critics were positive, with an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It earned three Oscar nominations: Best Supporting Actor for Paul Giamatti, Best Film Editing and Best Makeup. It belongs with Rocky and Raging Bull: a boxing film about life around the ring as much as the fights themselves.