Cinderella Man - Movie Review
iSuzanne Lind – Movie review - Cinderella Man
I chose this film because I’ve always been a fan of motivational sports movies. They all seem to follow the same formula. Athlete overcomes adversity and goes on to become champion. The voyeurism in watching these heroes struggle, never backing down until they ultimately prevail gives me the much needed kick in the ass when I’m feeling down not to give up on my own hopes and dreams. Granted I have two left feet and almost no athletic ability the universal theme of hope and optimism that these movies provide is relatable to any audience including myself. What sets this film apart from the typical “Rocky” boxing movie that, #1 it is a true story, and #2 the boxer has substance and is portrayed as a likeable family man fallen on hard times. This story occurred during the great depression when work was scarce and luxury was equivalent to having a piece of meat on your plate at dinner-time. The hero, James Braddock played by Russell Crowe was honest to the core, and despite experiencing minor success in the beginning in the movie was humble and endearing. James’s integrity was displayed in one scene involving his son stealing meat from the local butcher. His son’s motivation in committing the theft was fear; fear that he would be sent away because James and his wife Mae (Renée Zellweger) couldn’t provide for their children. While returning the meat, James had a heart to heart with his son explaining that although times were tough stealing was unacceptable behavior. He promised his son that no matter how bad things got, that the family would stay together. Sometime later the Braddock’s electricity was shut off due to non-payment and Mae sent the kid’s off to a relative’s house. When James found out he was horrified and consequently applied for relief from the government and went to his former boxing employers with his hat in his hand begging for the balance of $18 dollars that he needed to get the electricity
I chose this film because I’ve always been a fan of motivational sports movies. They all seem to follow the same formula. Athlete overcomes adversity and goes on to become champion. The voyeurism in watching these heroes struggle, never backing down until they ultimately prevail gives me the much needed kick in the ass when I’m feeling down not to give up on my own hopes and dreams. Granted I have two left feet and almost no athletic ability the universal theme of hope and optimism that these movies provide is relatable to any audience including myself. What sets this film apart from the typical “Rocky” boxing movie that, #1 it is a true story, and #2 the boxer has substance and is portrayed as a likeable family man fallen on hard times. This story occurred during the great depression when work was scarce and luxury was equivalent to having a piece of meat on your plate at dinner-time. The hero, James Braddock played by Russell Crowe was honest to the core, and despite experiencing minor success in the beginning in the movie was humble and endearing. James’s integrity was displayed in one scene involving his son stealing meat from the local butcher. His son’s motivation in committing the theft was fear; fear that he would be sent away because James and his wife Mae (Renée Zellweger) couldn’t provide for their children. While returning the meat, James had a heart to heart with his son explaining that although times were tough stealing was unacceptable behavior. He promised his son that no matter how bad things got, that the family would stay together. Sometime later the Braddock’s electricity was shut off due to non-payment and Mae sent the kid’s off to a relative’s house. When James found out he was horrified and consequently applied for relief from the government and went to his former boxing employers with his hat in his hand begging for the balance of $18 dollars that he needed to get the electricity