Posted on 06/03/2005 7:41:57 AM PDT by GPBurdell
1. Russell Crowe Triumphs in "Cinderella Man"
In "Cinderella Man" (opening Friday, June 3rd), Russell Crowe once again proves that old-fashioned masculinity does not have to be completely absent from the movies.
Directed by Ron Howard, "Cinderella Man" tells the uplifting, real-life story of Jim Braddock, the Depression-era boxer who rose from poverty and the soup lines to become heavyweight champion of the world.
The movie has excellent moral values, and Russell Crowe (Jim Braddock), Renee Zellweger (his wife Mae Braddock), and Paul Giamatti (his manager Joe Gould) all do a fine job portraying the 30s-era characters with conviction and authenticity.
The stand-out of the film, though, is Russell Crowe. The movie itself tells a simple tale of success, loss, and redemption - and Crowe elevates it with the complexity and depth of his acting. At a time when Hollywood seems determined to deride traditional masculinity, it's nice to see an actor like Crowe bring such strength, dignity, and self-confidence to the character of Jim Braddock.
Jim Braddock enjoys success as a boxer in the 1920s, but before he can advance to the top of his profession, a series of debilitating injuries and the stock market crash of 1929 (in which he loses all his money) cut Braddock¹s career short and send his life into a tailspin.
Unable to box, unable to find regular work in the terrible early years of the Depression, Braddock slides into penury. He loses his home and must move into a tiny basement flat with his wife and three children. He is barely able to feed them or keep the electricity on. The only work he can find consists of odd shifts on the docks - but the job requires him to use his broken right hand.
Unwilling to lose the work, Braddock disguises his cast and toughs it out. It still isn¹t enough to support his family, so Braddock must go on welfare and the soup lines in order to keep life and limb together.
After years of hardship, Braddock gets a second chance. His manager Joe Gould arranges a one-time fight for him in which Braddock is supposed to lose. Instead Braddock wins - even though he hasn't eaten all day, hasn't had time to train, and must fight in borrowed boxing gear. Braddock's victory here against tremendous odds is one of the most moving sequences of the film. Braddock literally wills himself to win the fight because if he doesn't, his family will go hungry.
Thus begins his climb back to the top, fueled by love of family, not by a need for fame. When a reporter asks Braddock why he fights, Braddock answers simply, "I fight for milk."
Braddock's commitment to his family is one of many important messages in this movie. Others include fidelity to his wife, perseverance in the face of tremendous odds, optimism, honesty, self-sacrifice and self-reliance.
When his family is hungry and his son steals a salami from the butcher, Braddock makes his son return it. When Braddock starts winning fights again, he returns to the welfare office and pays back all the money the government has given him. When the brutal Max Baer hits Braddock with illegal low blows during the climactic championship fight, Braddock fights back fairly and cleanly.
Braddock becomes a national hero - and a symbol for America's indomitable spirit of courage and optimism. Hollywood makes very few films with good values nowadays - which is why conservatives should support "Cinderella Man," and help ensure that more movies like it get made.
I think you confused comedy acting with a comedian who can act. I forgot the football movie with Foxx and Pacino. Foxx was the QB and Pacino the coach. Fozz held his own in there scenes.
Foxx was also good with Cruise last year playing a taxi driver. I think you're lowballinh his acting ability.
Comedy is hard life is easy.
I have been watching Christian Bale for years. He name is going to be on everybodies lips after Batman Begins comes out. He is an outstanding actor. Check out American Psycho, Velvet Golmine or the Machinist on DVD coming out Tuesday.
Movie reviewing for the more conservative minded:
http://www.libertyfilmfestival.com/libertas/
I'm familiar with Bale.
I've also seen him in Empire of the Sun and Henry V.
I agree. I was reluctant to watch "The Insider" because I thought: "Oh no, not an anti smoking movie-it can't be any good." But, I checked it out just because Crowe was in it. He was good. He played a man much older than he is, and was completely believable.
I bet he will end up being known as one of the great actors of our time. He puts all of himself into his portrayals. He's actually been great in every film he's been in.
"Gladiator" was terrific, but, I like "Proof of Life" best - high hubba-hubba factor- a manly man playing a manly man ;-)
"Cinderella Man" looks good just from the trailers. I'm definitely going to see it. Sounds like a great story.
You will love Cinderella Man.
I saw Cinderella Man this weekend and I heartily recommend it. The acting all-around was fantastic. Paul Giamatti surely will be nominated for Best Supporting Actor, and both Russ and Renee deserve a nomination for their performances. There was a decent crowd at my showing, mostily viewers over 40. But they knew their boxing, there was a lot of conversation among the audience about Joe Lewis and Max Baer.
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