Posted on 06/04/2005 10:22:23 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
A person cannot claim to have seen all the great boxing movies if they have not seen Cinderella Man.
Although past Academy Award winning boxing films like 'Rocky' and 'Million Dollar Baby' gradually develop the characters and the story, 'Cinderella Men' squeezes at your heart from the beginning and doesn't let for for a single second.
You plumment off into the deep end with no warning, and boy what an honor it is.
Through excellent storytelling, director Ron Howard creates the world of pre-Depression New York and Russell Crowe recreates the life of James Braddock in his boxing glory days.
Braddocks manager, player by Paul Giamatti spends all of his own money to train him (after the stock market crash) and get him back into the boxing world.
He goes round-in and round-out until he finds himself back in Madison Square Garden facing the heavyweight boxing killer, Max Baer.
Braddock comes to represent the American Dream at the end of the film, winning hearts with his tenacity and drive to make his family happy.
(Excerpt) Read more at statepress.com ...
I also think Crowe is a good actor.
I'm more of a Crowe acting fan than a big enthusiast of Howard's direction, but it looks like this could win the Oscar like 'Beautiful Mind' did.
NPR gave it a so-so review said it was too 'feel-good' ... I guess it must be a good movie then.
Ron Howard *does* make 'em like they used to.
If Kenneth Turan of NPR thinks it was so-so, it will probably win best picture.
***************
No doubt, although the Boston Globe likes it, which is usually the kiss of death for me.
In this case, I suspect they were right-it seems like the kind of role Crowe was born to play.
My "People" magazine gave it a good rating, for whatever that's worth. ( "People" also gave a bad rating to "Monster-in-Law" -or whatever that Jane Fonda movie was-so it can't be that bad."
Please let us know what you think of it.
I trust a FReeper's opinion far more than that dork at NPR.
I was travelling last year, and for some reason I listened to an extended interview with that clown--it lasted about an hour.
He's a movie critic who wouldn't know a good movie if he tripped over one.
Interested in your "review" as I have intentions of seeing this movie
Ron Howard may even snag a best director nomination.
Highly recommended!
Saw it. Great! Good conservative values.
Paul Giamatti was terrific as the manager, he definitely earned an Oscar or at least another nod this year.
I didn't think it would get me that involved in the story, (since Seabiscuit came out so recently) but it did.
Thanks for the "report"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.