Cinderella Man

The second joint project of the Howard and Crowe duo fits the ideal "American personal pride" film even better. According to the strictest academic standards, this is the most tightly packed film in its two-hour duration, where we won't find any unnecessary scenes, but at the same time, we won't find one that demonstrates genuine emotions either. Not even a single fragment (let alone the whole film) leaves any other impression than that of a sterile movie, made solely for the needs of the American audience, eager to see one of their "historical" heroes in action again. It’s formally flawless - the camera filters, costumes, atmosphere - the 1930s (including the Great Depression) are depicted excellently. The fight scenes beautifully contrast with the atmosphere of the Braddock family environment - Russell Crowe and Renée Zellweger's outstanding performances deserve an Oscar nomination. However, the whole film is as cold as a dog's snout, and even though it's based on true stories and is wonderfully acted and excellently shot, it failed to engage me with a single scene throughout its two-hour duration. (12/04/2005)

The life story of Jim Braddock is, of course, an excellent subject for a film. This famous boxer was from the interwar generation that shaped the dreams of ordinary people in the boxing ring, inspired them and gave them hope. After all, all of the names in the heavyweight champion category are well-known names: Jess Willard, Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, Max Schmeling, Jack Sharkey, Primo Carnera, Max Baer, James J. Braddock, and Joe Louis. They are all heroes of the modern age. Yet Braddock was a miracle, an ordinary guy who toiled through poverty and hardship during the Depression and rose to the top by beating two-foot giant Max Baer, a victory no one was expecting. The movie basically wrote itself. Russell Crowe outdid himself once again, and there were no dry eyes in the movie theater. I could imagine a dozen better actresses in Renée Zellweger's place, but never mind that. Cinderella Man will definitely be in the hall of fame as one of the best boxing movies. Right up there with the drama portrayed in the Schmeling vs. Louis match. (08/26/2020)

Ron Howard is slowly starting to get on my nerves, his sterile academic direction may deliver Oscars, but not my recognition. Here, he follows well-trodden paths and mixes exactly those ingredients (determination, family, friendship) that work for American viewers, but I refuse to fall for it again. It is a skillfully shot, well-crafted, and superbly acted film, without any hint of directorial invention, which probably has the best-shot boxing fights I've had the opportunity to see, but they mean absolutely nothing when compared to the clichés and predictability of every other shot. (01/31/2006)

A typically Howard-style idealized fairytale based on true events. Here the characters are black and white, it’s full of clichés and basically almost disgustingly superficial. But on the other hand, this works in all respects - while having nothing to act, the actors at least have charisma, the production design is just right, giving a wonderful image of New York at the time of the Wall Street Crash, and particularly the boxing matches are perfectly edited. This is no world-shattering movie, but you get exactly what you expect from a picture of this type. (04/21/2022)

Being a boxer during the Great Depression definitely paid off. A person had a job. It just required being a successful boxer. James J. Braddock was a successful boxer before the Great Depression, but multiple fractures in his killer right hand led him to give up boxing, or rather, he only received very bad matches. He only secured a job when he was lucky and they happened to have an opening at the docks. It wasn't easy, especially when he had to raise three children and also support his wife. After another lost match, when he broke his hand again, he was told that there was no longer any interest in him. He didn't give up, but luck brought him his manager. He arranged a fight for him against a young champion who needed a little sharpening. Surprisingly, there was no major defeat for the old champion, but his victory. And the star begins to rise again. This is exactly the story that Ron Howard could make a film about. A story full of emotions and pathos, and he's not afraid to shove even more of it in there. It's a bit of a shame. If it wasn't so terribly pathetic, it would be an even better film. Russell Crowe, whose name I couldn't remember for a long time, once again shows what a great actor he is, Renée Zellweger simply fits the role. Paul Giamatti is often like he's from another dimension - an underrated actor. Someone once wrote that there are no bad boxing movies. I have to agree. There is something about them that simply interests the audience. No matter how many sequels "Rocky" had, I enjoyed each one. "The Heavyweight" is also a film that caught my attention, if only it wasn't so terribly pathetic. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/10/ztraceno-v-prekladu-4-bratri-na-dotek.html (03/01/2013)