This movie came out against some heavy hitters when it opened in theaters, which is why I think it failed to make the box office numbers it deserved. I'm not a boxing fan and wouldn't ordinarily see a movie about boxing, other than since Gladiator, I've been a devout Russell Crowe fan. I was surprised. Cinderella Man is more than just a movie about boxing. Knowing this was based on a true story made the resiliency of Jim Braddock's spirit even more extraordinary. Ron Howard brings us into the ring with Jim in some nifty ways and part of what really impressed me was how difficult it must have been to have heart and hold onto the strength of character it must take to endure and win in the ring.
The performances by everyone in the cast was fantastic, including the child actors. My faith in Russell Crowe's ability to bring a character to life is unshaken. His portrayal of Jim Braddock obscured Russell Crowe the man to become Jim: the father, the boxer, the inspiring human being who never forgot it was his responsibility to find happiness and security for his family and himself, and did so with admirable integrity. Renee Zellweger and Russell played Jim and Mae Braddock so you believed in their devotion to each other and their family and friends. Paul Giamatti played Jim's manager/friend with charismatic strength that matched that of the awesome Mr. Crowe. Craig Bierko deserves a nod as well for making his controversial portrayal of Max Baer so large as life, as to make real the fears felt for Jim when his moment came to face this fierce fighter in the ring.
Throughout the movie the cinema audience groaned with sympathy, urged Jim on during the fights - and best of all the entire theater gave the movie a standing ovation at the very end. I thought for sure it would come out at the top of the box office. Maybe the name "Cinderella" put some off, or maybe with the recent passage of Million Dollar Baby through theaters people felt they'd already had their fill of boxing movies, or maybe those other heavy hitters watered things down - people only having enough in entertainment budgets to see just a few select movies - because really, this one should have been a blockbuster.