EW Magazine 1/21/05: Cinderella Man

"Director Ron Howard's second collaboration with Russell Crowe could be dubbed A Beautiful Fist: It's the true story of Depression-era boxer James Braddock, who, after an average career, returned to the ring to feed his family and ended up inspiring a nation. "My dad has been a life-long boxing fan," says Howard. And the fight which is the climax of our movie was the first boxing match that he ever listened to on the radio. It was important enough that they literally climbed into their truck ln Oklahoma and drove to town and listened to the fight In the pool hall." Joined by Renee Zellweger as his wife and scene-stealer Paul Giamatti as his manager, Crowe is at the center of what Howard calls "a really powerful and immediate depiction of the kind of desperation that a huge number of families faced in this country. In the middle of that comeback they asked him, "How come you had that slump and now you're winning again?" And he said 'Now I know what I'm fighting for: milk." Doesn't it sound like the popcorniest of summer flicks, eh? "It's pretty triumphant," assures Howard. "I don't want to ruin it for people." But we do: Aliens kill everyone. Shhh"

The above thanks to Kaspi - Duotone and text by Murph

Text for the Premiere Magazine page for CM: "This biopic of Depression-era prizefighter James Bradddock reunites Russell Crowe with his A Beautiful Mind director, Ron Howard, and screenwriter, Akiva Goldsman. In contrast to the complexities of that 2002 Oscar winner, says Howard, the story boils down to the dilemma of an aging boxer forced to feed his family by risking injury in the ring. "This is much more akin to my experience directing Apollo 13 - the narrative of the true story is so clear and direct and dramatic." Toronto stands in for '30s New York, but Renee Zellweger, who plays Braddock's wife Mae, says she spent much of her time on a set with a kitchen table - "and a stove and utensils and my apron. Mae didn't want to go to the fights-she couldn't handle watching him be hurt." Back in the ring, Paul Giamatti's portrayal of Braddock's corner man, Joe Gould, is so acute, says Zellweger, "that the man disappears and all that's left is the character." Impressed by Crowe's "unwavering commitment," she remains compelled by "the beauty of that love story-a man overcoming all odds to take care of his family and become a champion." - Thanks, Mary, for the text

Premiere Magazine January 2005 scan - Thanks to Clemato