A Pinoy Blog About Nothing

This early, critics are already talking about Oscars for Cinderella Man. While it’s a slick, good-looking movie and there are some fine performances from the actors involved, it’s far from a perfect film. In fact, there are times you’re being emotionally manipulated and not in a good way. It’s not bad movie though but it’s something you can wait on video or dvd.

The movie is director Ron Howard’s version of the life of James J. Braddock, the Cinderella Man. Braddock is the original ‘contender‘ - a talented boxer who, along with most Americans, fell into some dire straights during the Depression of the 1930s. Braddock had to deal with various injuries he sustained on and off the ring as well as fighting for jobs at the docks. It shows how Braddock (Russell Crowe), despite the tough times, wanted to be a good father and husband to his three kids and to wife Mae (Renee Zellweger). With the help of his manager, Joe Gould (played by the always awesome Paul Giamatti), Braddock manages to get a chance to fight reigning heavyweight champion, Max Baer (Craig Berko).

The girly-sounding nickname was actually given to Braddock by sports-writers who were amazed by the amazing turn of his luck. Braddock also became a symbol to the Depression-era masses - someone who managed to turn his life around despite the seemingly hopeless environment they were facing.

Russel Crowe flexes his acting as well as his physique in the tons of emotional scenes as well as fight action inside the ring. He looked awesome in the ring, a different kind of gladiator arena if you will. It’s only Howard’s decision to incorporate the first person point-of-view and unfortunate choice of flashback moments which slowed down the otherwise unflinching action in the ring. To see Crowe in the first act of the movie and you’ll be reminded how good an actor he could be.

There was also those moments which the dialogue just didn’t sound true and came off flat. Most of which delivered by Ms. Zellweger. “You are the Champion of my Heart?” Oh please. We already know that Braddock was fighting for home and family but was it really necessary to pound it into our heads over and over again?

Paul Giamatti as Braddock manager and friend again transforms himself right before your eyes. He was the perfect foil to Crowe’s Braddock - short, stocky and full of guile as opposed to the boxer’s gigantic physical presence and almost naive outlook. (With a comb-over to boot.) But, Giamatti delivers yet another amazing performance. There’s an Oscar nominate I’ll agree with.

Cinderella Man is an entertaining movie especially for fans of boxing. With boxing currently without any insipiring champions and spectacle is the order of the day, the movie is a love letter to the days where boxing was less cynical. Also if you can ignore that the movie paints a one-dimensional character of its villain and the actors are verbally sparring off-screen, then you’ll have a good time. I still say, wait for it on video or dvd.