Review of "Cinderella Man" by

The award winning epic "Cinderella Man" stars Russell Crow as boxer Jim Braddock. Braddock is suffering, as were many people during The Depression. He had been a major contender, but now he was trying for day work and sometimes catching a job but mostly not. The times are dreary and Braddock wants beck into the fighting ring. He had once been famous as a fighter but now he is a bit of a bum. He is trying very hard to support his family. His wife Mae, played by Renee Zellweger, supports him and bolster up his attempts to find work. She is a tad dreary, but it will all come back to her when Braddock gets another chance in the ring. This is the real life story of a famous champion who became a hero in a time when the world needed a clean and good hero to worship.

Crowe is superb in this role for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe. Paul Giamatti plays Braddock's manager Joe Gould, and was nominated for both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his performance. To the credit of director Ron Howard whose scope continues to broaden beyond all expectations, the fight scenes are spectacularly real. In fact, the film delighted the public. Even if you are not a fight fan, knowing that the story is true evokes your sympathy at the heartache this family faces and your joy at the success of Braddock in the final fights and his stalwart courage and integrity.