Russell Crowe - The Cinderella Man

More Fan reviews - Spoilers in some!

Went with my dear Judy and some friends, though I was in it as an extra and did not see myself, I enjoyed the movie very much and must admit that I cried on three occassions, the first was when they started during in 1933. I lived through it and there were other times I cried, I will see it again, it is very well done and now I am proud to say that I met Ron, Craig ( Max Baer) and Paul Giamatti during the shoot and so I have good memories, can't wait until Oscar time. - Myer Gordon

I was not a movie fan going to a special screening but rather going to see the movie on it's regular open doors schedule. Waiting in line in the lobby I noticed that senior citizen after senior citizen was lining up behind me. I am a senior citizen myself and so I could easily understand why this subject would appeal to older people. Cinderella Man was a term dropped on James Braddock by a reporter after he showed that fight after fight, when he had to in order have his family stay together during the Depression, Braddock would win the fight. Now these old people came to this movie because they lived it especially in the Northest Sector of the United States. Northern New Jersey and the New York area was where all the action was during those times of the early 30's. Me, at 68, was the era of Joe Lewis and the other bunch of prize-fighter of the time. James Braddock was a opening fight for that era of Joe Lewis and the other bunch. But we were all aware of Primo Canera, Max Baer and James Braddock. These were the guys that experienced the Depression and scraped to stay alive or became so depressed themselves that they just left their families and drifted into whatever was happening good or bad.

So these senior citizens of 80 years or older came with their walkers, canes, hearing aides, strokes and a few with a shuffle. What did they see? They saw what they heard on the radio. They saw what they saw the next day in the newspapers. They did not have homebox office or special satellites to bring the prizefight right into their living room unless they punched out their buddies while having a glass of water or a five cent cup of coffee in some java joint. Crowe was amazing. He went from poor to rich to poor to rich. He was the poker face boxer in the ring; the joker face boxer for his kids and the accomodating hero for his wife all the time...during good or bad times. His humour was the shine on his shoes. Paul Giamatti, his agent, played a terrific role and I loved that he kept his personal appearance up to the nines to show the boxing promoters that he was a successful boxing agent. In reality he didn't have a piece of furniture in his apartment except a card table and some folding chairs and yet he was able to give James Braddock a few dollars so he could pay his bills to have the light and gas turned back on so he could have his kids back home with him. The one critical point that I have is that the Depression came to the movie set too fast. One moment the scene was all good life and the next was this life in a cold water flat. How did that happen so quickly. Four stars out of five. Five stars if you experienced those years. - Al P

Brief review of screening and report of Q&A in Santa Monica 5/24

I saw Murph's post about the SoCal PBS affiliate hosting a series of advance screenings in the West L.A. area. Cinderella Man was the first film scheduled for Tuesday, May 24. It looked to be a wonderful series, but since I live more than two hours north, I did not want to buy a season pass. I called the number listed at the web site and was told that "principles from the film" would be present but that the exact details were a secret. I was finally allowed to purchase two single show passes the day before the event.

Darrin Lee and I arrived quite early, being veterans of other Crowe activities, but there was no need. We strolled in to check out the vintage 1939 theater, recently fitted out with the newest in film-viewing technology. Darrin spoke knowledgably with the dude who changes the marquee about platters and reels while I scoped out the entrances. We had a leisurely dinner and returned at 6pm but there was still no line. We claimed two seats, fifth row back and center, and waited as the theater slowly filled. At 7pm, the evening's hostess informed the audience that after the film there would be a question and answer session with the director and star of the film, Ron Howard and Russell Crowe.

I loved the film, unequivocally. It's a powerful story, simply told. The same can be said for the film score. I think we both had tears at the same scene, the one I knew would get me, with the children, but neither of us cried. My emergency stash of tissues stayed dry. Instead, I laughed a lot more than I expected. I also felt chills, despair, and triumph, but the emotion that stands out was the overwhelming excitement. I found myself ducking, bobbing and wanting to swing with Jim. I could not keep from cheering for him a few times. Fortunately, the film seemed to have the same effect on everyone in the room. No one made a sound during the quiet scenes, while all around me I could see and hear people reacting during the fight sequences. I was flushed and exhausted by the time it ended. Brutal as it was in spots, and even knowing the outcome, I was too terrified to look away for even a second. It is completely satisfying, visually and emotionally.

There was thunderous applause at the end, and then continued applause and calls at the director and actor's names. The moderator came out and introduced first Ron, who walked from the back of the theater to the front to strong applause, and then Russell, who received an instant standing ovation. The three took seats up front. We could see them blink. I saw no other cameras, so mine did not leave my purse. You'll have to take my word that he was gorgeous in jeans and that blue Braddock letterman's-style jacket with the shamrock and Bulldog of Bergen on the front.

I took notes on the back of the program, so I will paraphrase from memory unless I wrote a word-for-word specific quote. Ron and Russell took a turn at answering most every question, sometimes going back and forth between them. They both speak with their hands and become quite animated in telling a story.

Russell talked about the long process of getting Braddock's story to film, including some of the people involved at different times with the concept, including Harvey Weinstein. "Any day that gets Harvey Weinstein off your back is a great day." Various actors were considered for the part of Braddock. Russell jokes about what made Harvey finally willing to consider him for the part. "I think the Oscar might have had a little something to do with that." The moderator asked Russell about when he approached Ron to direct. Russell said that Ron's "initial reaction was underwhelming. Ron said, "I can see why you would want to play this role, but I can't see why I would want to direct it."

Russell says, "I always remember what Ron says to me so I can use it later." He said that they both use this tactic against each other in attempts to argue a point or persuade. Russell recalled what Ron had told him about approaching each of the fires in Backdraft as a separate story, rather than as a whole. Russell suggested Ron approach each of Braddock's fights in the same manner. Ron acknowledged that he was initially uncertain about how to present the fight sequences, but that Russell's parallel with his Backdraft method made good sense to him. As Ron began to feel more confident about the project, he realized, "I was over-thinking the whole thing." Ron says that he did not need to do anything special to make the boxing sequences exciting, because "it's Russell Crowe." He had confidence that Russell would make the boxing sequences compelling and dynamic.

While this is true, you will also see some wonderfully clever means of taking the viewer inside the ring and making us feel a part of the fight. I caught myself holding my breath often during these sequences.

About why he wanted to play Braddock, Russell said, "I like who he was before he was a champion, when he was champion, and after. It's a beautiful, successful American life and I thought it should be told." He added that he thought Braddock's "greatest achievement was returning to normalcy," and re-stated the information shown at the end of the film about how Jim and Mae stayed together, how Jim remained "desperately in love with his wife", and in the same house they bought with his prize winnings. Russell also liked how, once his fighting career was over, Jim went to work doing things within his financial and skill capabilities. Russell mentioned that Jim briefly tried to operate a restaurant, "but that didn't work out too good. Cause you see, Jim could not charge people money for food." Russell said that while it is not at all necessary for him to like his character in order to play the part, he really enjoyed playing Jim and thinks that he likes him best of all his characters.

About preparing to play a boxer, Russell said that Ron "goes out and gets the only boxing trainer whose name I would know." In answer to a question about his prior or ongoing interest in the sport, Russell said, "I am not a boxing fan, a fan of the sport. I am a fan of the boxer Kostya Tszyu. I was a fan of Muhammad Ali as a kid", and that he also admired Muhammad Ali "as a communicator". Russell said he always enjoyed sport, any sport, at its peak performance, mentioning that he had stayed up late a few nights watching the British curling team during the last Olympics. But as to whether he would try boxing again, "I've had my fill of being punched in the head. I enjoy a concussion, however, I like my teeth without cracks," he said, chuckling.

"If you too want to have an ass like you did at eighteen, just run uphill, downhill". He described a near non-stop training regimen. "I had to really convince myself that I was the kind of man who was really okay with being covered in my own sweat ten hours a day, every day - and okay with the kind of rashes that come along with that."

Ron started to talk about the guilt he would feel whenever he asked Russell to do a retake of a physically demanding scene. "I was worried that he would re-injure himself," Ron said sincerely, looking at the moderator. Russell looked at Ron like he'd just said the biggest lie and asked, "And how did you feel after the twelfth take, Ron?" Ron broke up at that and Russell called Ron "a pig." Russell made very loud, prolonged snorting sounds, cupping his hands as though he was feeding from a trough. Russell imitated Ron, all excited, "Come on, Russell! This time, do it bigger, now do it smaller, now do the pink version, now the purple one". Then he repeated the pig at the trough routine. There was a lot of laughter at this. Russell conceded that he is just as "greedy" as Ron and that is why they get on so well. He said, "if you don't want to work on a Ron Howard film, then don't make suggestions. Because if you suggest it, he's going to want to see it. He's going to want to see it his way, and then he's going to want to see yours." Russell also spoke in amazement of how quickly Ron puts the film together once the footage is shot.

Russell said he studied old boxing footage and read interviews with Braddock in hopes of picking up some of his phrasing. There are two lines he says he took directly from Braddock and used in the film. He slips slightly into Jim's joisey accent, "If I could bring home de title and de turtle, dey'd be tickled," and "I tot dat was gold for de grand kiddies."

At this point the moderator opened it up to audience questions. A woman behind me asked about how he developed his New Jersey accent. Russell asked if she were an actress and was she asking him about how to maintain an accent, and she said, "Yes." He told her that anyone could do any accent in a whisper and demonstrated this, but that the real test was whether you could yell and still maintain the accent. Then he showed us how to do an Australian accent. "Just don't move your top lip." He pointed out that Australians keep their mouths closed when not speaking because "otherwise they'd be swallowing flies."

A man asked if they had received any negative feedback from Max Baer's family due to his negative portrayal in the film. Russell did not answer the question directly, but gave a passionate response. Ron sat back and listened without reaction. "I think we were really generous to him," Russell said, leaning forward intently. Rather than cataloguing the negative, Russell mentioned "the one really decent thing that Max Baer ever did," which was to sew a Star of David on his trunks during the start of the Nazi attacks on the Jews and the Gypsies. Russell said he insisted that this detail be shown in the film. Russell said that while Baer was not a practicing Jew, he was born to a Jewish mother. Russell said he learned about Baer from Norman Mailer.

Another man near the rear asked if Russell could give any details on Damon Runyon, the writer mentioned twice in the film and credited with coining the nickname Cinderella Man for Braddock. It was likely a soft lob, but Russell played off it with a look of shocked disgust. Pointing to the exit, he ordered, "You should go to a f*cking library right now. Are you an American?" Then he grinned a little and said how Runyan was a great American writer that everyone should read.

They spoke for close to forty-five minutes before saying thanks and goodnight.

Runyon:

"One of these days in your travels, a guy is going to come up to you and show you a nice brand-new deck of cards on which the seal is not yet broken, and this guy is going to offer to bet you that he can make the Jack of Spades jump out of the deck and squirt cider in your ear. But, son, do not bet this man, for as sure as you are standing there, you are going to end up with an earful of cider."

"She has a laugh so hearty it knocks the whipped cream off an order of strawberry shortcake on a table fifty feet away."

I went to see the sneak-peek of "Cinderella Man" Sunday evening with several RC fan friends. It was shown in 4 theaters around Austin. We went to the same theater ABM premiered. The theater was about 90-95% full.

The movie is WONDERFUL! It's hard for me to watch boxing. I like most sports but boxing has never made sense to me. Men standing there hitting each other.... WHY? Brutality for no purpose, IMHO.

However, there is SO much more story going on than the boxing. I thought everyone did a great job, very convincing. Russell was fantastic, of course, and the fight scenes were much too convincing! One lady near us got up and left because she just couldn't take it.
I was heartsick seeing the conditions people had to live in during the depression. (It reminded me of the fact my parents lived through those times and then WWII, etc.) Very well depicted.

There was so much love between Jim and Mae and the children. Jim was determined to keep his family together no matter how bad things got.

I’ll try not to spoil anything for you but I am so glad they included what Jim did as soon as his comeback began; even before he moved his family out of the slums! Integrity is my favorite word and this man had Integrity along with a huge heart and determination to overcome overwhelming odds, not for his own fame at all, but to make a better life for his family. Honoring that level of integrity is truly valuable!

It's kind of good that it doesn't open until Friday. I need a few days to re-coop before going to see it again. It takes a lot of you. You feel like YOU've been in the fights by the end of the movie! It's one of those movies you have to chew on and digest for a while. Those are the very best kind!

All in all it was very well balanced writing, directing and acting throughout.

This is a great movie and Russell did a great job. I hope Hollywood has gotten over their terrible bias aganist Russell and give him the Oscar he deserves this time. In fact, as in the past, the entire movie deserves many Oscars - set design, director, screenplay, supporting actor, .... name it and it's all good! - j. pluchinsky

I bought my ticket online Friday for the Sunday Sneak preview. Having attended sneak previews before I thought I was probably going overboard - but Sunday night I was quite glad that I had done it.

I arrived about 30 minutes early - leisurely getting water and popcorn, a bathroom break.
Casually strolled into the theater 20 minutes early and had to search for a single seat.
I couldn't believe it - packed theater, more men than women.

As usual with Mr. Crowe, I forgot I was watching him. He became James J. Braddock.

The scene with his begging the suits for money - those tears - sent grown men in the audience into sniffing. I have never attended a movie where the entire audience broke out into applause at the end.

The stars of this movie work great together - I fell in love in Paul Giamatti. He plays a tough guy with a soft heart and you want to reach out and hug him. Renee plays the strong wife with that little girl voice - and it works. Russell Crowe - what can I say? A magnificent performance.

Ron Howard can say with a single scene what other directors spend an hour attempting to convey.

I'll see it again. -- Vicki T

I live in Northern New Jersey, what could be called, "Jim Braddock Country." He's still quite a folk hero in these parts, so it was very interesting to see the preview of CINDERELLA MAN with locals who may actually have known of, or even known, the man himself.

I also brought my mom, who was a small child growing up in a dockfront section of Brooklyn during the Great Depression. If anybody would know if there was a false note in the film, it'd be someone who had experienced the same kind of grinding poverty, in much the same circumstances.

The theater was nearly packed; the only seats available were in the front two rows right against the screen. An interesting cross-section of people filled the seats - younger women who brought their husbands/boyfriends to see Russell Crowe, older men and women who knew the story from when it happened, even a few old pugs wanting to relive the glory days of the Bulldog of Bergen.

And what a gift we all received. CINDERELLA MAN is an extraordinary piece of filmmaking from Ron Howard. Howard has had a reputation - unfairly - of being overly sentimental, of making fluffy, feel-good movies. RANSOM was feel-good? Whatever. He's outdone himself with this movie, a combination family drama/underdog story/social commentary/boxing movie that works on each and every level.

I won't go into the particulars or spoilers; I'll just say that CINDERELLA MAN is a stunning portrayal of the Great Depression - you can literally feel the cold in that tiny apartment, the desperation and the hopelessness in the faces of the people walking the streets looking for work or wood for the stove. My mom says that this is the first movie that's actually gotten the NY/NJ Depression experience right. I was touched watching her reactions to the movie - a sad shake of the head here, a knowing nod there.

The boxing sequences are brutal, and visceral, and dizzying; every punch lands squarely in your gut. I particularly liked the odd, swinging camera moves that made you feel Braddock's disorientation during a fight.

There isn't a thing on God's green earth that Russell Crowe can't do, and do well. He becomes Braddock, as he becomes all the characters he plays. But there's a sweetness, a simplicity, that we haven't seen very often before; decency and honor are always beneath the surface of his characters (ok, maybe not Hando), but this ordinary Joe who does something extraordinary is a wonderfully unique creation. The scenes where Braddock's luck hits bottom will break your heart; every care, every bit of self-loathing and exhaustion, are written all over that sad, haggard face. You'd think there couldn't be a way Russell Crowe could impress us even more, and every time, he manages to do it.

Paul Giamatti is terrific as Joe Gould, Braddock's manager and friend, and Craig Bierko is sufficiently hateful as Max Baer, the heavyweight champ who's killed two men in the ring. He has his sights set on Jim Braddock, who he feels is beneath him. The only performance I had a problem with was Renee Zellwegger as Mae. I'm always on the fence about Renee, and this time is no exception. There are moments when she absolutely shines, and is totally believable as the long-suffering wife, but at other times, she goes into COLD MOUNTAIN, "It's raaaaaaainin'," mode. She has good chemistry with Russell, though.

All in all, CINDERELLA MAN is inspiring, and exciting, and a wonderful insight into the hell our moms, dads, grandparents, etc. had to go through to survive the Great Depression. God bless 'em all for their strength, and a big cheer to Ron and Russell for giving them the movie they deserve.

Thanks!

Donna, out in Braddock Country! (MG at the OUR HANDS, OUR HEARTS bb)

I drove under a darkening sky the just under an hour's jaunt from my home in the sticks to the theatre showing the "Cinderella Man" sneak preview. I had a perfect seat, dead center. The theatre filled, scarcely one seat left to be occupied.

All of us were transported from beginning to end thoroughly engrossed in this wonderful, wonderful film. I was actually aware of how people reacted during the film...sometimes the whole theatre was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, other times people all around me laughed and cheered, and there were tears. Damn if this movie didn't pull on the heartstrings.

"Cinderella Man" had all those moments of humor, devotion and love, struggle and truimph reminiscent of "Gladiator" and "A Beautiful Mind". Russell far exceeded my expectations in portraying James J. Braddock. I think he will be nominated for Best Actor and the film for Best Picture, without a doubt.

During the movie there was an intense thunderstorm, (8 inches of rain in 4 hours) and it added to the experience somehow. The fight scenes and the thunderclaps kept us on the edge of our seats. It was done so well I felt I was watching the real thing. I think Max Baer could have been portrayed a little more flamboyant in the ring and a little less angry as this is how I viewed him in the real matches. Renee was impressive as Mae and really gave the film a heart. I was a little surprised, and delighted, at how many instances of humor there were and equally glad that there were no overdone, sappy moments.
The film felt genuine.

When the movie was over and we were filing out I heard many good comments about the film...one woman on her cell phone enthusiastically saying "I just saw Cinderella Man...it was sooo good". Most everyone in the theatre must have felt the same way because people were clapping and cheering by the end of the film. - Vicki

All I can say is, it was the most wonderful movie I have seen in a long time. With sooooo much crap out there it was a real pleasure to sit in that theatre and watch Russell, Renee and Paul just light up that screen. I know that sounds a little odd what with it being the depression and all but it's true.

I am NOT a boxing fan and I'm afraid some of that was seen thru my fingers but it WAS exciting and I do understand it was necessary for him to fight to keep his family alive and feed and warm. By the way those kids didn't have many lines but they where fantastic.

The theatre wasn't full but the crowd was sure enthusiastic. They laughed, cheered, booed those low blows(ouch) and clapped at the end. It's been a long, long time since I have seen THAT!

I almost am at the point of hating the word Oscar but..............

Ron, Russell and the rest of that wonderful cast and crew.........WELL DONE!

Carol

Saw CM at a Sneak Preview, last night, in Pensacola, FL.

Brevity doesn't seem to be one of my gifts, so you can use this or not . . .

I do not like fight pictures; I left RAGING BULL because it was so graphic. The only reason I went to this Preview was because Russell was starring in it.

What a nice surprise. The fights were realistic, but they weren't "gross-outs," like some of its predecessors.

It's a fight picture. It's a love story. It's a history lesson.

It's a perfect illustration of the Triumph of the Human Spirit - that includes Braddock (of course), but it also involves his adorable children, his faithful wife (who "keeps up her appearance") and makes a home out of an extremely modest apartment. "Keeping up her appearance" sounds like a superficial observation, but it's really not. She makes herself look neat and clean in spite of her circumstances. That's not an easy thing to accomplish. Don't you know that after spending time on the docks, her appearance must have lifted Braddock's spirits beyond measure.

There were 3 scenes that really got to me: (1) When Braddock tells Rosie that he's really full from eating steak and gives her his piece of fried bologna. (2) When Braddock decides to go to the fight promoters and handlers to ask for help and literally carries his hat from man to man for "contributions." (3) When Braddock tears up talking with his manager and friend, Joe Gould and lastly, "The Salami Incident" and how "Jim" handled it.

I was glad that Howard showed glimpses of the very, very rich whose lives had not changed at all with The Depression. Remember the scene, with head down, when "Jim" passes some of these people on the street outside a fancy hotel? It was obvious that they didn't even see him.

Can't NOT mention Craig Bierko. He was a delicious villain and a formidable foe, wasn't he? Loved the way "Jim" handled Baer's goading, out of the ring, especiallly when Baer says, "Letting your wife do all your fighting for you?" (After Mae throws a drink in Baer's face). "Jim" does the best possible thing: smiles and says, "She sure does! Ain't she a dandy?" Perfect comeback. This is a "must see" for one of the best choreographed groups of actors, interacting, that I've seen in a long, long time. - BoxerLady

All I can say, is, I'm glad I saw this in the preview, because if I'd had to wait until the 3rd I'd have about died!

Luckily, by the time the movie started, the theater had gotten its act together, because it was like the one reviewer who said they had a myriad of technical problems. First of all, they did a poor job of promoting the preview here in Northern Utah, where I live (about 20 miles north of Salt Lake City). I get the local paper from here and the Salt Lake one, the Salt Lake one had a huge ad with Russell and Renee pictured. Our paper here had a tiny blurb mixed in with the showtimes for the other movies stating there would be a preview. Ad said 7:40, our tickets said 7:30, then they started running things at 7:20. Thankfully, we were already in our seats. There weren't a ton of people but everyone seemed really eager to see this film. We had a ton of problems with the picture during the previews, and then the movie began.

Immediately I was transported back to another time and place. It gave me a feel for this time in America's history, how bleak things were and how desperate people could become. I really think the boxing story isn't the main focus of this movie, it's a love story. All Jim really wants is to provide for his family, keep them safe and together. In the making of CM on HBO, Ron Howard said we would see a side of Russell we hadn't really seen on film before, that of a husband and father, a deeply devoted family man, and he really delivered. His on-screen relationship with Renee was absolutely heartfelt and believeable; and I loved seeing him interact with the children. And as always, Russell can say as much or more with just an expression on his face or in his eyes as with a piece of dialogue. It's what sets him apart from other actors and makes him as great as he is. I hope he gets the recognition he deserves come Oscar time...

Everyone was brilliant. Renee showed just the right amount of vulnerability balanced by this courageous strength. I couldn't imagine what it must be like to watch your husband go off to fight, how hard both of them struggled just to give their kids some semblance of a normal life, even in the depths of their extreme poverty. Paul Giamatti was excellent; I enjoyed the obvious camaraderie he shared with Russell, they really worked well together. And of course, with Ron Howard at the helm, it was one of the best movies I think I've seen all year. I'm definitely going again!

It was like some of the other reviewers said, the theater throughout was completely silent. There were several people directly behind us I worried about before the movie started, because they were talking and carrying on, but once it began, there wasn't a sound from anyone through the entire film. And, after it was over, everyone did applaud, which I haven't had happen in a movie in quite some time. It was remarkable. During the end fight, it was all I could do not to jump to my feet with the onscreen crowd and cheer Braddock on...also, I kept flinching because I hate to watch Russell get hurt, even if it's just in a film, and even though I knew the outcome I hated to see him get hit!

Will go again ASAP. It was a marvelous film and I hope it'll get its just rewards come awards season!

Lisa in Utah

I saw Cinderella Man at a sneak preview in Seattle last night, and I was very impressed with it, as was the rest of the crowd there. I wrote this review and posted it on the Perch, and if you want to use it (or a part of it - I tend not to be succinct), you are more than welcome to. -- Lynda

Hello, I also was lucky to see CM last night. What can you say about one of Russell's movies, it was really great. I laugh, cried and had to turn away during a few times of the fight scenes. Love Russell or hate him, you can't help but love and respect his gift of acting. He took the words off of paper and put them before you on the silver screen. For 2 and 1/2 hours you lived another time and experienced another place, all through he's eyes and at the end you had to remember that he was acting. It was amazing to watch. Renee was great in her part as well, living her part through the fears for her family and her husband. I enjoyed the movie and I hope that others do also.

thanks - m

This was a wonderful film for all the parties involved, but especially for Russell, Ron & Renee. It is easy to say of course because it is a Russell film we all know it will be great but this was a very different role for him. In the beginning it comes across as an ensemble cast, similar to Master & Commander. Russell being so generous (as always) and letting the actors around him work their magic while he is almost a supporting character to the underlying theme of the Great Depression. Then he emerges as the driving force for the next 2 hrs. Ron Howard is superb as he makes this film build to an incredible climax. You are swept away during the fight scenes to another era. Even down to the physical attributes of Russell’s transformation to Jim Braddock with regard to body shape was amazing. The power of this film is will knock your socks off. You often think RC can’t top his previous performance but then he pulls yet another aspect of his craft out of that bottomless pocket. How lucky we all are to have access to such talent in our time. - Kitty-Sacramento, CA

Wow this was a great movie enjoyed it thoroughly.The theater was filled with people of all ages who by the end were cheering and clapping.The character portrayals were wonderful by all of the cast.Paul Giammati deserves an Oscar nod for his role as the manager Joe Gould.

Russell deserves another Oscar for his perfomance as Braddock I felt that this was a great job by one of our most consummate actors.I do not want to list any spoliers for this movie I think it should be seen with an open mind I admit I knew how it would end but the knowing and the experience of seeing how realistic the fight scenes were was fantastic.A truly brilliant movie I saw it in my hometown theater in South Carolina highly recommend seeing next weekend...when it opens to everyone..!!! -- Susan

The film is truly going to be one that makes an impact in our understanding of the Depression and the desperation that people have when they are made to feel powerless and hopeless. It feels like such an incredible contribution made by this remarkable convergence of talented people, from the scriptwriter to the director to the actors to the technicians. This film seemed so uncompromising from every angle -- perhaps there are flaws, but they were hard to find in the first watching of the film.I was left with the strongest feelings about the lessons of how real love gives you strength and that a good marriage is about facing life together because you believe in each other absolutely.

The scene with "the hat" really got to my dear hubby in a way that even this morning I am left so affected by. He said that one scene spoke volumes about what a real man is. He said he could not ever remember another movie making him feel the way that scene made him feel because the emotion and the desperation were so genuine and so universal to him that it truly humbled him as a man.

By the way, our theatre was also sold out. But it just amazed me that at the end, the place erupted in applause! We have NEVER seen that in any theatre in this area. Never. In the ladies' room after the show, the women in there were saying it was the most powerful film they'd seen in a very long time and that it really had left them feeling in awe that they'd just witnessed a great film. I've also never heard people talk like that in the bathroom after a film. Thanks, Murph, for all you do!! - Ann

We pre-purchased our tickets on Saturday to the sneak preview and it turned out to be a brilliant move. Arriving at the theater an hour before the show started, a lineup had already formed. We found out that the pre-sales had sold out the show on Saturday. The line up of fans wrapped around the theater.

The movie itself was perfection and being a history buff, I was delighted that this movie had the feel of what it must have been to live during the Great Depression. Even the Hooverville was reminiscent of what I had read in Stud Turkel's Hard Times. The story was wonderfully told and the personal life and hard times of the Braddock family intertwined with the boxing scenes made this movie a masterpiece.

Acting! What can I say. Russell was marvelous as usual. I think becoming a Dad and Husband actually may have helped him to portray the emotions of Jim, the family man. The brutal training he underwent paid off in those boxing scenes, so realistic. I felt like they were really happening. Although I questioned whether Renee could pull this part off, when it was cast, she has made a believer out of me. She didn't once resort to that annoying pouty face that is her usual trademark. When the girl puts her mind to it, she can act. Paul Giamatti was excellent and added some comic relief where needed. Paddy Considine added to the feel of this period piece. I do believe Oscar nods are in store for Russell, Renee and Paul as well as Ron and the movie.

Joan

CM is certainly all we hoped for and what Ron and Russell PLANNED for! It is marvelous. Russell and Rene have great chemistry and he is so great with the children. The depiction of the Depression is so graphic and true to the accounts I heard from my parents. Everyone tried so hard to maintain dignity while desperately trying to survive. What a great script from Akiva G. once again. As others have said, Russell underplays this role so very well. Every expression, grimace, glance is perfect. Rene shows a depth in her acting I've not previously appreciated.

Russell is to be congratulated for going through the TRAINING necessary for this role! How in the world he managed it at his age is unreal! The fight sequences are so REAL and the fighting seems much more brutal and FASTER than the 'dancing around' that passes for boxing today. Angela Dundee surely had an impact on that aspect. It was great that he was ACTUALLy in the film as the Cut Man.

Surely Russell, Rene, Ron and Paul G will all receive Oscar nominations and WIN with this fantastic film

Lyna - Chapel Hill

Arriving at the theater very early - I was a bit dismayed and at the same time very happy to find I still had to stand in a line...a line that grew as we waited for our "sneak peek". The theater, once seated, was nearly packed, only a few seats here and there left vacant - not bad for a rainy night. I was a little concerned as to whether I would like a movie about boxing, even IF Russell and Renee' were in it and Ron directed -- but I was drawn in within minutes, to the story - and so it goes.

Everyone involved in the cast of this movie right down to the children did so well that I forgot I was watching a movie and was drawn into that moment in time, reliving it with the characters. Those around me were drawn in as well, I would say, as they where laughing and gasping along with me. I enjoy movies most when the audience "participates"... and this night, there was much participation. (Having seen Leno I did see that moment, when Russ expressed his concern for his nose to the "cut man")

The fight scenes were well done, very realistic, and I liked the techniques used to bring us into the fight, into Jim's world in the ring. I felt for Jim Braddock and what it must have been like for him, hearing the ring-side commentaries about him - good or bad, how it felt to be entertaining the masses, the sweat, the pain, the desperation to win for his family. He fought for them. What a heart! As each fight ended I found myself relaxing back into my seat - as I would tense up till I was nearly standing during each fight. I wanted to cheer, and was in my own way (I could hear the men seated around me breathing their elation when Jim won particularly difficult fights) - and at times we all (the audience) gasped aloud or expressed outrage - you couldn't help it.

Renee' was great, bringing us into the world of the wife of a boxer, and the children were so believable I truly did forget for a while that this was a movie. Little Rosie was adorable and made everyone chuckle when she "hit her mark". It was amazing, I thought, that the emotions carried even in the eyes of the children - conveying so much more than what was spoken. You felt the deep love and devotion of this family. It was difficult to see what they and others went through during the Great Depression - and how hard it must have been to go from knowing comforts of better times to the desperation of having nothing left, yet somehow finding something to hold onto, to get by. And that's what Jim Braddock's "second chance" became for people in that day - a spark of hope when things seemed they couldn't get any darker.

What really completed this story in a big way and made it all work so well was Paul Giamatti's performance as Jim's trainer. His interraction with his fighter and genuine concern for his well-being was touching, and I found myself feeling that Jim was in good company. With so many standing so affectionately devoted by Jim's side, his character as a man was evident. By the movie's end, I was completely won over as well.

I don't want to give away any spoilers - so I'll not go further into the story - but I will say that even though it was tough to see Jim Braddock's best and worst moments in the ring, and even though I am not a boxing fan - I got it - I was taken by the story; I was for a while a spectator witnessing truly profound moments in time, and I felt wonderful and uplifted by the end of this movie - as did those around me. At the end of the last fight, about half of the theater applauded. When the credits began to roll... everyone applauded and a few even cheered. Great work Russ, Renee', Paul, and all of the cast and crew. Thank you for a great movie experience and a winning tribute to Jim Braddock.

(Waiting for June 3 to go again)...Jan. from Upper Michigan

Attended the sneak of Cinderella Man last night and WOW!!! What a wonderful film! The theatre was sold out -- throughout much of the film you could have heard a pin drop in this audience and at the end LOTS of cheering and clapping! So many excellent comments overheard leaving the theatre!

What a journey! Once again Russell takes you, pulls you right into the character and the time! You feel pain and the triumphs! (My mother has spoken of their struggles during this time, and told me stories of things they did to survive).

Russell's performance is wonderful, stupendous, beautiful (I could list a string of adjectives here -- nah, won't subject you!) It's heartwarming, to see the dedication of a man to his family! The chemistry in the film is stunningly beautiful, Russell and Renee, the family, Russell and Paul. Kudos to everyone connected with this film,-- WELL DONE!!

Even knowing what happened in the end -- the last 10 minutes of this movie I found myself forgetting to breathe! I know some of you won't see this for a few months, but it is MOST DEFINITELY worth the wait!

Can't wait for Friday -- I'll be there for that first showing!

Paula- Florida

We went to the 7:20pm show in Tucson, Arizona. After asking twice for the projectionist to check the focus, the movie began.

It was wonderful. Beautifully filmed and wonderfully acted. I was pulled into the characters, the plot, then.......the sound "skipped." It was out of sync for over 1/2 hour.

It became ridiculous - like watching an old, Kung Fu movie - lips moved, blows were hit, the sound was several seconds late. ARGH!! I had to ask 3 times for the sound to be "re-sync'ed." By the time I hooked back up with the movie, Braddock had KO'ed two opponents.

The management gave everyone a free ticket. I will go to opening day. Perhaps the theater will have the technical expertise to show a movie.

Miss Mary

Okay, I'll try for the fewest spoilers possible since many of you haven't seen this yet and only the few of we lucky Sneak Previewers or even luckier Premiere viewers have, but this is a great freaking movie. It's unusual and NOT usual to have a film of this quality in a year and to see several of them in Russell Crowe's filmography shows he's not only the best talent in an actor working right now, but he's really smart to align himself with good filmmakers and go for the script cause the bottom line is if the script sucks, so will the film. So I say kudos for him for backing out of Eucalyptus in the final hour if it wasn't right, as we sure as heck don't need one more promising premise that ends up in a mediocre or lackluster film.

So here we go. An extremely moving film where you certainly cheer for the underdog and care for he and his family which is essential in a film like this. The performances are all superb from Russell to Renee to Paul Giamatti, Paddy Considine and Craig Bierko. And the little girl who plays his daughter is just too cute for words.

Russell's performance is once again subtle instead of over the top. He goes for less when he could go for more in some scenes and this makes them moving and real instead of a caricature. Renee as Mae is the long suffering, but loving wife, but she really makes you see that it is a team effort and I felt her pain of how awful it must be to love your man so much and know he could be going off to possibly be killed and he's doing it for money to keep his family going. Its the only thing he knows how to do that can make any money.

The Depression scenes are really awful as most of us in this day and age (in western countries) don't know what real hunger is all about and despair (though some of you may, but I hope not). My parents would have been Braddock's kids age through the Depression and I've heard some stories about how hard it was, especially for my Mother's family though I don't think even theirs was as desperate as Braddock's in about 1933. I will be really eager to hear what they have to say about the film since they lived it and not that far from the setting of this film geography wise. Plus the look of the film was terrific too, but I'll be eager to see what my parents say on that one too.

Sorry ladies, there are NO love scenes, but a stunner of a kiss and scene when Braddock is in the (heck, I don't know what its called) locker room where there is some major perve value over those arms and shoulders and the back of his neck. OK, perving out of the way, but I know some of you are interested even if for a moment.

But, there is definite chemistry between Russell and Renee and perhaps even more between Russell and Paul. Every scene that they're on screen together had me glued to the screen in awe of their talent and completely wrapped up in what was going on. Russell's right about Paul, he deserves a nomination for this role and the Academy are fools if they ignore this performance like they did his in Sideways and American Splendor (whoops, I guess that shows they're already fools). Anyway, I hope this is his time because this performance deserves it, but it couldn't have been without Russell to play off of. They are just terrific on screen together.

The music was memorable. The script was very solid. The film moved well and I'd say there was only one slow moment to me in the film, but it was over so quickly that I don't recall it now. The direction was not over the top and I had to chuckle as Ron slid his brother Clint into the film again. I'm not sure which guy was his Dad. Angelo Dundee has some time during fight scenes. What better was than to have the real trainer ring side to help while you're filming?

Down side for me. I really dislike boxing and this won't change my mind about that. I think it's really brutal (legalized brutality to be exact) and this was way too realistic for me. I had to cover the peeps (or at least peer through the fingers) a couple of times. But, upside is it was engaging enough to have me really cheering along for Braddock even between my fingers.

Now, I know there are probably a million more things I could say about the film, but I hate to give too much away so I'll shut my trap till later as more filters into my brain. It's only been an hour since I saw the film, so I haven't had true time to ponder.

So, I'd give Cinderella Man 4 1/2 stars. It probably could be a 5 star rating, but it's the boxing that pulls it down just that wee bit for me, so if you're a boxing fan, I'd say you'll like it even more. Plus, my question is was Max Baer really as much of an ass as this film portrays or was he made to look worse because he was the film "villain?" That has me curious. I know he actually did kill two men in the ring, but I've heard that it was devastating for him. I've also heard he was the Hollywood boy (loving himself and the lime light) like portrayed, so I don't know?

Realize that it is as much about a family, hard ship, love and the Depression as it is about boxing. One last mention in the cast. A character actor for about a million years, a guy named Bruce McGill (I believe that's the spelling), who played the boxing promoter or head of the commission as he had the say who fought and had a license to fight was terrific too. His character could have been a total shark, but he gave him a human side too (even though he was still a shark, LOL).

Gotta see the film again. I'd say I'll see it again next weekend when it opens wide here in the States. Rating among the Crowe filmography....Hmm, this may take a while.

Below:
Gladiator
LAC

Above:
ABM
The Insider
(both of which I liked)
Maybe even above M & C, though I'm not sure of that yet in my mind.

Thanks, Cinemaphiles and remember all the above is IMHO and my entertainment eyes!
- Marie.

5/29/05 - Just got back from seeing a sneak preview of Cinderella Man in Kansas City. There were several theaters here that were showing a preview tonight, but the one I went to was in a theater that held about 500-600 people, and was completely sold out.

I won't give any spoilers, but I feel whoever sees this film can't help but be moved by it in some way. There's something for everyone in this movie... a wonderful love story, family values, edge of your seat excitement during the boxing sequences, as well as the authentic look of the late 1920s-early 1930s period costumes and scenery.   But the most important thing to me was the positive message of the film... the triumph of the human spirit. It's a story about someone who's not going to be defeated by life but shows the kind of strength of character within themselves to rise above their tragic circumstances, no matter what.

I felt Russell did an excellent job of portraying Braddock. I could tell by their response that the audience was moved by the character's devotion to his family, and instantly identified and sympathized with what he had to go through for them. There were parts of the film that made me (and the rest of the audience) cry and the scenes with the child actors were very touching, and simply adorable. And I have no fingernails left after seeing the fight sequences. All the preparation and training Russell did prior to the film really paid off, the fight scenes were very realistic and well done.   He did a good New Jersey accent too, didn't hear any hint of Aussie whatsoever.   There was a good response to Renee Zellweger's character as well. People genuinely enjoyed watching her and Paul Giamatti onscreen, as well as the rest of the supporting cast.

When the movie was over, the audience burst into applause. I haven't seen that at a movie theater in a very long time, especially from 500+ people.   As I was leaving the theater, I heard a man say "Why can't they make more movies like that, you know?" Any film that can truly uplift and strengthen people, in addition to entertaining them, enriches us all and is a good thing.

I think the film will do well, and will be destined to become a classic people will want to watch again when they need to see something uplifting and inspirational. Judging by the good response here, people seemed genuinely enthused about the movie, and you left the theater feeling better after having seen it.

Leslie (Lady) - Kansas City, Missouri

All I can say is that the Academy had better not screw this one up and not give Russell Crowe his second Best Actor Oscar!

CINDERELLA MAN is an engrossing film with stellar performances from Russell Crowe, Renee Zelwegger, and Paul Giamati , puts the audience right into the ring. Every artistic aspect of this film ozzes with perfection. The Direction of Ron Howard allows the characters to develope and the film flow. The Art Direction and Cinematography reflects just how awful the Great Depression was without falling into the trap of sappiness. The subtle, yet powerful score aids in the storytelling. One of the best Screenplays yet this year. One cannot help but feel the punches when they come. This is truly one of the Best Films of 2005 that must be experienced more than once. - Kathy C

It's been a while since I visited your place and haven't written before -- but I just saw a preview of Cinderella Man and I'm so pumped I had to come online and read more about it. But I also want to talk about it! So here's my take on it...(spoiler alert!)

This is an outstanding film! I saw it with my husband and he loved it too.

We saw it as a 'preview' and it was sold out! We got there 10 minutes early and had to sit in the second row because it was packed! The whole audience was really into it. It was great! There was applause at the end! The film is loooong but it didn't seem unnecessarily so. Ron Howard did a great job of depicting the struggle of so many families during the Great Depression.

I knew a bit about the Depression from what I learned in school and such, but seeing the desperation and fear that so many felt - it was really powerful. I thought Renee Zellweger did a fantastic job of portraying Mae Braddock, particularly in the scenes in which she fears for the health and safety of her children. Being a mom myself, I could totally feel her pain!
And those kids did a great job too!! All three of them held their own against RC on screen! (and that's saying a lot) I LOVED Paul Giamatti as Braddock's manager Joe Gould -- 180 degrees from his Sideways character! He and RC have great chemistry and you really feel like they've been friends for years. I think PG should be nominated for best supporting actor for sure!

Okay..so enough about all that... here's my take on RC. He was phenomenal as usual and was simply born to play this role! He really nailed the 'everyman' aspect of James Braddock, making you believe that he really would be the guy who lived down the street just doing his best and just getting by. By the end of the film, I found myself cheering for 'Jimmy'! The fight scenes are intense, especially the one at the end where he fights Max Baer.
I was actually wringing my hands even though I already knew the outcome!
The fight scenes are nothing like the 'Rocky' movies where the underdog is losing big then suddenly comes back from the brink of death to just pummel the guy into a knock-out. This is much more realistic and there are many occasions where Braddock seems to be getting the upper hand then takes a hard hit again. So, even though we know the outcome of the fights they are not totally predictable. But this is much more than a boxing film. To me it is really a film about a man who fights with everything he has (both in and out of the ring) to keep his family together and provide them with even just the basic necessities. My absolute favorite scene is when Braddock goes to see the old boxing fatcats to ask for money to pay his electric bill. It is heartwrenching! Even my husband teared up! RC was superb in expressing the humility and desperation of the moment. I'm not a boxing fan at all and was concerned that the fight scenes would turn me off but au contraire! An amusing sidenote: at one point (I think it was when Braddock was entering the ring for his first comeback fight) I found myself thinking "I will win the crowd. I will give them something they've never seen before" -- it really fit the moment!

I don't have much in the negative to say except for the following. There were a number of scenes where they obviously were using the 'hand-held' camera technique and, though I can understand the purpose on some occasions, it was a bit distracting in some of the 'at home' scenes between RC and RZ.

Of course, it may have been more bothersome to me because we were sitting in the second row and any sudden camera moves made me feel a little sea sick!

I also think the subplot involving Braddock's co-worker and friend Mike didn't add a whole lot to the film.

I rate CM as one of my all-time favorite movies and would put it in the top 3 of RC's movies (along with Gladiator and The Insider, in no particular order). I liked this better than ABM and will definitely see it again (and again and again, etc..)! As my hubby said as we walked to the car after the show, "this is going to be in our DVD collection, isn't it?" Boxing fans will love the intense fight scenes, anyone who enjoys a good drama will love the struggle to survive during the Great Depression, and anyone who is as crazy about RC as I am will love the fact that he is in just about every scene!!

So there's the long version of my review, though I'm sure I'm leaving out all kinds of good stuff that I will think of when I go to bed. My short version is simply: you will absolutely love this film!!

Deb

Saw the Sneak Preview and it is a great movie! Good depiction of the depression, excellent fight scenes, the kids are spot on and darling. Russell is marvelous; hits all the right notes whether as a boxer or a man. Paul very good and Renee o.k. I loved it when Russell gave Angelo Dundee a kiss of the top of his bald head.

Our audience. in a nearly full theater, applauded at the end and there were lots of "oohs, aahs and oofs" throughout. It was a mixed audience of women, older men and several young men (Teens or close to).

It is one I'll have to see again (and again, etc.) as there is so much to see. 5 stars of 5!!! - Janfran.

Just got back from the show and can only say "WOW". We bought our tickets as soon as they went on-line. People were saying that they were all sold out by the 2nd day. The theater was composed of all age groups and looked to be as many men as women. The theater started to fill up one hour before the show and when we arrived 1/2 hour before starting time very few seats were left. Couples had to split up and sit apart! The trailers didn't prepare you for the laughs ,tears, and cheers.

One of my daughter's friend does some boxing and said the fight scenes were really great and looked authentic-He was very surprised to see Angelo Dundee in the fight scenes with RC. He couldn't believe that Russell didn't use a double because it really looked so real and brutal. RC ,of course, was WONDERFUL but so was all the cast. Paul G. really does deserve special recognition for his role-he is quite the scene stealer! Renee gave a really solid performance with a bit of an edge in confronting "Jim" about his boxing but also "being there for her man". Photography and editing deserve praise as well as sets and costumes. I think we will be looking at "Oscar" for all involved next year! - Frannie

...Finally we get there and this humongous parking lot is wall to wall cars and we hafta park two or three states and one small country away from the cineplex. Thank goodness I've ordered tickets online and we go to the kiosk and I pick those up and we get into the theater still a full 25 minutes before start time. It's PACKED! There are hardly 2 seats together anywhere, but we find a couple 2 rows from the back, much further than I'd like to be, but it was either that or sit right up next to the screen. During the next 25 minutes more and more people come in and each of them stops and their jaw drops open when they see how hard it's going to be finding a seat. The place was sold out! Which is good news for CM, though not my favorite way to see a movie. The woman to my left has a big sack of popcorn and is a noisy muncher. Ack! They only show one preview, not the usual 95 1/2. It was for Pride and Prejudice.

I miss Colin Firth but will probably go see it 'cause I like Jane Austen so much. All I will say about the acutal movie can best be summed in three letters...*W*O*W*.

Our feller just gets better'n better! He is nothing less than magnificent! He not only delivers, he makes the dough, tosses it, puts on the sauce and pepperoni and BAKES the thing! He is...splendid! I feel...tired...after watching it. It drains one with its power. And the hat scene...I won't say what he's doing with the hat...but in the scene where he's holding his hat and his eyes are full of tears...well, I loved that in the book and it was the scene I most anticipated his acting in...and it brought tears to my eyes. But I looked to my right to hubby Carl and he sat there with tears just streaming down his cheeks.

Later, as we got in the car to drive home, he said, "That was me. I feel like I've stood in those shoes. I know how that feels." This is, of course, true...but I thought it was so...real...that Russell could make my husband cry. And "real" is the word for the movie. Rocky was somehow less than real, more of a fairytale. Even though the actual word "fairytale" is used in the movie, it could not be more real. I can hardly wait until everyone has seen it and we can talk about it!!!

Jo in Pittsburgh

From Linda: I thought I would try to describe CM with 10 defining words, to keep it short.

Welcoming
Humble
Eager
Desperate
Courageous
Tenacious
Devoted
Tolerance
Hopeful
Goofball