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"Cinderella Man" is set in the 1930s in America during the great depression. Its hero is James J Braddock (Russell Crowe) a family man who has lost everything he made from boxing before the depression - a lovely home, a taxi business, stocks and shares. He lives with his wife Mae (Rene ... Read review
Cinderella Manis a wholesome slice of old-fashioned Americana, offering welcomed relief ... more
from the shallowness of many summer blockbusters. In dramatising the legendary Depression-era comeback of impoverished boxer Jim Braddock, director Ron Howard benef...
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Cinderella Manis a wholesome slice of old-fashioned Americana, offering welcomed relief ... more
from the shallowness of many summer blockbusters. In dramatising the legendary Depression-era comeback of impoverished boxer Jim Braddock, director Ron Howard benef...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Academy Award winners Russell Crowe (Best Actor, Gladiator, 2000) and Renee Zellweger ... more
(Best Supporting Actress, Cold Mountain, 2003) team with Oscar-winning director Ron Howard (Best Director, A Beautiful Mind, 2001) to deliver one of the year's most c...
Russell Crowe and Rene Zellweger deliver knockout performances in Cinderella Man on ... more
Blu-ray's high definition disc. Now this critically acclaimed triumph from renowned director Ron Howard hits harder than ever in this stunning new format.A destitute prizefighter (Crowe) risks everything when he gets another chance at the world heavyweight title. Share his heroic battle for redemption in crystal clear 1080p, and feel the impact of every punch with spectacularly enhanced audio. Prepare to cheer for this undisputed champion of entertainment thanks to Blu-ray High Definition.
Now a major film starring Russell Crowe Biography of James Braddock the man who rose in ... more
professional boxing in the 1920's lost a title fight in 1929 struggled to feed his family and with Joe Gould as his manager won the heavyweight title from heavily favored Max Baer in 1935.
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:3-5 working days
CINDERELLA MAN:Academy Award winners Russell Crowe (Best Actor, Gladiator, 2000) and Renee ... more
Zellweger (Best Supporting Actress, Cold Mountain, 2003) team with Oscar-winning director Ron Howard (Best Director, A Beautiful Mind, 2001) to deliver one of the year's most critically acclaimed motion picture triumphs! It's the extraordinary true story of a destitute prizefighter (Crowe) who gets another chance at the world heavyweight title...and through his heroic battle for redemption inspires the masses!THE HURRICANE:Academy Award nominee Denzel Washington earned a Golden Globe for his powerful performance in this critically acclaimed masterpiece directed by Norman Jewison.As popularised worldwide by Bob Dylan's smash song, it's the unforgettable saga of Rubin Hurricane Carter, a proud, once-promising prizefighter unjustly convicted of a brutal crime, Locked away and all but forgotten for nearly two decades, Carter's last glimmer of hope rests with the tireless efforts of a small group of supporters who stubbornly refuse to end the fight for his freedom. Also featuring an all-star supporting cast, this landmark motion picture chronicles not only the ultimate victory of a champion, but a stirring triumph for the human spirit.
Director Ron Howard and star Russell Crowe re-team after their Oscar-winning ... more
collaboration, A BEAUTIFUL MIND, for this rousing biopic. It's the true story of boxer James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe), a heavyweight contender from New Jersey nicknamed the Bulldog of Bergen, who lost his fame and fortune during the Great Depression only to win the hearts of the downtrodden during a spectacular comeback. Crowe is masterful as Braddock, with Renee Zellweger playing his wife, and Paul Giamatti as his loyal friend and manager, Joe Gould. The sharply observed script devotes a significant amount of screen time to the domestic struggles of Braddock's family; developing character and place with a wealth of period detail, so when the comeback starts, the payoff is enormous. The matches themselves are unforgettable: raw, intense, riveting, with more than a passing stylistic nod to Martin Scorsese's groundbreaking 1980 film, RAGING BULL. Though it may sound a bit formulaic, one should remember that this is the true and original underdog boxer story from which all others hail, and it's riveted together with true craftsmanship. Howard has a real skill for plucking audience members' heartstrings, and the performances are first-rate. Giamatti and Crowe play off each other in a rapport perfectly suited to their roles, especially at the ring, where the one's manic intensity makes a perfect contrast to the other's warrior grace.
Contemporary / American English (Available February 2008) Jim Braddock is a successful ... more
boxer in New York. But in October 1929 the American economy fails, and at the same time Jim starts to lose in the boxing ring. Does the true story of Jim Braddock - the Cinderella Man - have a happy ending?
Contemporary / American English (Available February 2008) Jim Braddock is a successful ... more
boxer in New York. But in October 1929 the American economy fails, and at the same time Jim starts to lose in the boxing ring. Does the true story of Jim Braddock - the Cinderella Man - have a happy ending?
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: John Duigan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Penelope Cruz
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Rene Zellweger Disadvantages: Grey, too long, some may find it too gruesome
Several years ago I happened to be the only female sitting in a group of male friends in my local when the conversation turned to sporting trivia. One of the lads posed the question "Who was the last white unified heavyweight boxing champion of the world?" and I raised my hand immediately. However my somewhat unchivalrous friends refused to hear my answer; in turn they each had a stab and got the answer wring until the questioner finally ... ...course it was correct; they were all stunned. How on earth would I know the answer to that?
The reason I knew the answer was because I remember my mother telling me about the evening the fight in question took place; my grandfather came in late from work and my mum made everyone a mug of cocoa to sip while they listened to the fight on the radio. In fact, it turned out that this was not the only boxing trivia in my mother's vast fund ... more
Several years ago I happened to be the only female sitting in a group of male friends in my local when the conversation turned to sporting trivia. One of the lads posed the question "Who was the last white unified heavyweight boxing champion of the world?" and I raised my hand immediately. However my somewhat unchivalrous friends refused to hear my answer; in turn they each had a stab and got the answer wring until the questioner finally decided to humour me and asked for my answer. Of course it was correct; they were all stunned. How on earth would I know the answer to that?
The reason I knew the answer was because I remember my mother telling me about the evening the fight in question took place; my grandfather came in late from work and my mum made everyone a mug of cocoa to sip while they listened to the fight on the radio. In fact, it turned out that this was not the only boxing trivia in my mother's vast fund of useless information. It seems my mother is something of an expert on boxing. I was amazed to discover this, frankly. I didn't think my mother would be into such barbaric pastimes as boxing!
Of course, it is only in recent years that there has been a backlash against boxing with many calling for the sport to be banned or at the very least a certain level of safety requirements to be observed. In the early half of the twentieth century the popularity of boxing cannot be underestimated; it was a sport which was enjoyed by people across the world and across class divides.
"Cinderella Man" is set in the 1930s in America during the great depression. Its hero is James J Braddock (Russell Crowe) a family man who has lost everything he made from boxing before the depression - a lovely home, a taxi business, stocks and shares. He lives with his wife Mae (Rene Zellweger) and their three children in a shabby apartment; James goes out every morning hoping to be one the lucky men to get a days work on the docks but it is an uncertainty which causes him to sell almost everything they own to feed and clothe their children.
In the evenings James leaves his family at home while he goes out to compete in boxing matches; he doesn't enjoy the success he used to have although he fights through a series of injuries in order to continue making a little money. However after one particularly dire fight the promoter decides that he's seen enough; Braddock just doesn't have it anymore and the public are becoming frustrated with second rate bouts. James loses his licence and is forced to leave the sport he needs so badly.
The family's straits worsen until James is forced to swallow his pride and claim public assistance though this is sill not enough to meet their needs. In utter desperation he goes to the boxing club, cap in hand, to ask for help to have his heating reconnected. It is an event that sticks in the mind of his old trainer, Joe Gould, who turns up unexpectedly some weeks later with an interesting proposition for James. Another boxer has pulled out of an important fight and they can't find anyone to replace him at such short notice. Would James be willing to return to the ring one last time? Torn between losing his dignity - he has never been knocked out in a fight before and this guy means business - and his terrified wife James must make a difficult decision….
"Cinderella Man" is a film that ticks a number of boxes; while its focus is boxing it is eclipsed more by its account of a particular time in American history than for its sporting side. It is a biographical account of a man who caught the imagination of a nation looking for some kind of way out of their grim lives. It is to a lesser extent a love story - how far a family will go for each other and to stay together in terrible conditions. The part I enjoyed most was actually the historical aspect, though I felt that this was sometimes overly "educational" and that this didn't always sit comfortably when introduced into dialogue. This made it feel stilted - a little like when television presenters are forced to make regular mentions of a show's sponsors. At one point in the film one of the characters, I forget now which one, says something like "He's living up in the Hooverville - a shanty town of cardboard houses in Central Park where people live to save paying rent" (forgive me if this is not one hundred per cent accurate). If it were not for the boxing scenes, this would be a superb film to show GCSE history students.
As a sporting film this one will gain plenty of critical acclaim. The boxing scenes, though very gruesome, are magnificently filmed and seemed to have most people in the cinema wincing and moving as if the punch was flying out of the screen towards them; there is plenty of blood and some clever shots where the picture momentarily becomes an x-ray so you can see the damage the boxers are doing to each other. (I prefer to think this is a comment on the negative aspects of boxing rather than a glorification of what can be done.) The film also alternates between actual fights scenes and shots of people listening to the match in bars, their own homes and even a church which soften the impact a little and provides relief from the constant pummelling. However, I am still surprised at the decision by British censors to rate this as a 12 PG; my feeling is that it should have been a Certificate 15 because of the intense violence.
With its star cast one would think this film would get plenty of attention from the film going public; Russell Crowe's performance is solid and what we have become used to from him, although I somehow get the feeling he was chosen this time for his physical appeal rather than his acting talent. Rene Zellweger steals the show with her portrayal of Mae, the loyal wife and mother. I found her absolutely delectable and as sweet as candy - the perfect "Noo Joisey" woman. Other cast members put in fine performances, most notably Paddy Considine as Braddock's friend Mike, Paul Giamatti as Braddock's trainer and Craif Bierko whose menacing stature is perfect for the terrifying world boxing champion Max Baer - a notorious man who has already killed two men in the ring.
The movie drew poor audiences in the States despite high profile advertising. It is being heavily promoted here but I feel that it is unlikely to do well. While the acting and technical effects cannot be faulted the film is more than a little dour to say the least. Of course, the Depression wasn't a very happy time for most people in the 1930s America but this film really is glum and for me this just made me feel glum. I felt as if I'd been beaten into submission then made to wallow in yet further misery. As befitting the times, the houses are brown, the clothes are brown, everything's brown….
The story is a remarkable true story and one that will probably inspire people today as much as it inspired people when it happened. It is the true stuff of Hollywood but I don't feel there is anything there to really catch the imagination. The film lacked a pay off for sitting through the misery. There is some happiness at the end of the film but this was mentioned only in the form of a couple of lines about what happened after the action of the film. Having been made to sit through this I felt a little cheated that I didn't get to share in the good bits! I also felt that 144 minutes was too long to wait for something uplifting to happen.
Ron Howard (Apollo 13, Far and Away, A Beautiful Mind) has yet again directed an impressive movie. The historical aspects have been translated well through costume, locations, scenery and references in the dialogue and the fight scenes rival those of "Raging Bull". The crowd scenes in Madison Square garden are worth a special mention as is the recreation of the cardboard city in Central Park. This is a film of epic proportions but which fails to translate its visual impact into an engaging story. By the time James had trudged through the streets trying to keep his family together, I cared little whether he won a boxing match or not.
Who will like this film? Boxing fans will love the action scenes, as will teenage lads I would imagine. Russell Crowe fans (do you know any, I don't…) will probably rush out to see it but I don't think that this is a film that will win him any new fans. The issue of boxing is now such a contentious issue that it is a brave actor who takes a role of this kind. If you don't approve of boxing, stay clear of this film; not only will you find the action scenes to extreme, you will not find a subplot with equal strength.
Full marks for technical merit but this film has missed an opportunity to really explore how James J Braddock caught the imagination of the American public. There are a few brief references but I think development of this idea would have made this movie more of a "feel good film". I would consider this a punishment, were I to watch it again.
By the way, the last white unified heavywieght boxing champion of the world was Ingemar Johanssen.
Advantages: A great uplifting film, the acting is brilliant Disadvantages: It might be a bit too violent for some and it is a long film
...the reason why it’s called Cinderella Man, is because it was the nickname that was given to Braddock when he came from nothing. I think that this film really shows Braddock in a great light, I know some people moan about the way that they made Max Bear evil in the film and uncaring, and apparently he was nothing like that, however I do think the film is uplifting and just brilliant. ==Should You Buy The DVD? == Yes, it's one of the best films I've ... ...story that you forget the long length of the movie. Just brilliant. I'm sure you can get it cheaper second hand of EBay but on Play.com and Amazon you are looking to pay around £4.99 for the DVD, this is a bit much considering when I brought it back in 2006/2007 I only paid £3 for it from Woolworths. I would check out EBay and watch this film because it is truly one of the best I've ever seen. ======== Details ======== Running Time: 144minutes Certificate: ...
DixieChick10 03.03.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cinderella Man (DVD)
Advantages: Historically accurate, Has boxing, Great acting, Superb story, Wonderfully created Disadvantages: Unfair portrayal of Max Baer
...with 26 KO's.
The cinderella story taking completion as Braddocks heart takes him through some punishing rounds with Baer who was then regarded as the most ferocious puncher since Jack Dempsey. Braddock edged a UD (Unanmious Decision) to finally gain the title, the prestige and the money his family needed to keep going.
Braddock did defend his title (unsuccessfully) to the rampant and destructive Joe "The Brown Bomber" Loius, a fight of which Joe ... ...eventual death in 1974. Gould added a clause in the contract that Braddock would recieve 10% of all future purses Louis was to recieve if Louis beat Braddock (which he ultimately did via a 8th Round KO).
The acting and end of the spoilers
---
The actors despite the review admittedly being very history centric is very solid and the characters (except for Baer) are all pretty accurately portrayed which resulted in Paul Giamatti being nominated for ...
iamasadlittleboy 03.09.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cinderella Man (DVD)
Advantages: Good Performances, Stirring Finale, Well Told Disadvantages: Sometimes it's a bit Oscar baiting
...first saw the trailer for Cinderella Man I rolled my eyes back till I saw into my skull. It was an incredibly vomit inducing trailer that just screamed, Depression!, America!, Adversity!, Oscars!.
It was obvious that Ron Howard's movie was aiming for the awards season and intended to pull on the heartstrings of Academy voters. So I don't know why the studio released it in the summer of last year, as it's not the kind of film I'd want to see during ... ...my DVD rental queue.
Cinderella Man tells the story of Jim Braddock (Russell Crowe), a boxer who is fighting his way to the top and reaping the rewards that come with it. But then the great depression of the 1930's hits and Braddock is just another in a long line of men struggling to survive. He and his family live in squalor, there's barely enough to feed the kids and Braddock is left slumming it in cheap boxing bouts. But then his ex-trainer Joe ...
utero 11.04.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cinderella Man (DVD)
Advantages: Great storyline, acting from Crowe and Giamatti Disadvantages: True story so predictable.
Cinderella Man is the proud owner of possibly the worlds worst ever trailer, a trailer that empathises the worst of the film and make it seem like an overly sentimental, maudlin exercise of depression era poverty and failure mixed in with a Rocky style boxing underdog story.
I saw the trailer and said there was no way I was ever going to see this film. The fact that the stars were Russell Crowe and Renee Zelwegger, two stars I don't really have ... ...did enjoy this.
Cinderella Man is the true-life story of James Braddock. At the start of the film Braddock is an aging journeyman fighter who had his chance of success but never really managed to grasp it with both gloved fists. His career as a boxer is just about finished and with a wife and three kids to support in depression era 1930's America times look hard. Boxing injuries make it even harder for him to work; poverty and pride make him hide ...
Ailran 09.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cinderella Man (DVD)
Advantages: Incredible story, gives an insight into Great Depression, impressive acting Disadvantages: Sentimental story, boxing scenes over dramatic
...He coined the term " Cinderella Man" for James Braddock. Damon Runyon is one of my favourite writers - he wrote the short stories "Guys and Dolls" that the musical is based on - and I was hoping to find out more about him too.
*** Seconds out; Round One ***
This film starts focusing on James J Braddock's return from a successful fight. All is well for Braddock ( Russell Crowe) a talented boxer who enjoys a happy family life with his wife, Mae( ... ...are storm clouds on the horizon. The film jumps in time and we now see Braddock fighting for survival. His talent appears to be on the wane after losing a close fight. He fights now just to make money but alas he has broken his hand. Despite this he conceals his injuiry and attempts to fight on. As a result of his injuiry his fight becomes a farce and the crowd turn on him leading to his license to box being revoked.
This is a perilous situation ...
mikefnw75 27.02.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cinderella Man (DVD)
Danish, English, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish
Hearing Impaired Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Deleted Scenes, Ron Howard Intros, Ringside Seats
Aspect Ratio
2.35 Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English Spanish
Professional reviews
Review
There's not another actor working in the movies today with Crowe's kind of gravitational pull to authenticity (Entertainment Weekly, )
Out of the ring and opposite Mr. Giamatti, Mr. Crowe eases into the boxer's soft side, at times beautifully; in the ring, he's repulsively believable (New York Times, )
The best boxing movie since Raging Bull (The Daily Star, )
This is a favourite to win big at the Oscars (The Mirror, )
A total knockout (The Sun, )
Russell Crowe is rugged and resilient....It's a solid picture... (Uncut, )
DVD Description
Director Ron Howard and star Russell Crowe re-team after their Oscar-winning collaboration, A BEAUTIFUL MIND, for this rousing biopic. It's the true story of boxer James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe), a heavyweight contender from New Jersey nicknamed the Bulldog of Bergen, who lost his fame and fortune during the Great Depression only to win the hearts of the downtrodden during a spectacular comeback. Crowe is masterful as Braddock, with Renee Zellweger playing his wife, and Paul Giamatti as his loyal friend and manager, Joe Gould. The sharply observed script devotes a significant amount of screen time to the domestic struggles of Braddock's family; developing character and place with a wealth of period detail, so when the comeback starts, the payoff is enormous. The matches themselves are unforgettable: raw, intense, riveting, with more than a passing stylistic nod to Martin Scorsese's groundbreaking 1980 film, RAGING BULL. Though it may sound a bit formulaic, one should remember that this is the true and original underdog boxer story from which all others hail, and it's riveted together with true craftsmanship. Howard has a real skill for plucking audience members' heartstrings, and the performances are first-rate. Giamatti and Crowe play off each other in a rapport perfectly suited to their roles, especially at the ring, where the one's manic intensity makes a perfect contrast to the other's warrior grace.
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