Cinderella Man (2005)
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A determined boxer faces the ultimate underdog challenge during the hardships of the Great Depression.
The story
James J. Braddock is an Irish-American boxer from New Jersey who is forced to give up boxing after breaking his hand in the ring. As the United States enters the Great Depression, Braddock works as a longshoreman to support his family despite his injury. However, he cannot find consistent work. When a last-minute cancellation occurs, his manager and friend, Joe Gould, offers him a chance to fill in for one night to earn cash. The fight is against the number-two contender in the world, Corn Griffin. Braddock must decide whether to risk his safety and his wife's peace of mind to return to the ring and fight for his family's survival.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
James J. Braddock, an Irish-American boxer from New Jersey, is forced to stop competing after a hand injury. During the Great Depression, he works as a longshoreman but struggles to find steady work. His manager, Joe Gould, offers him a one-night fight against Corn Griffin. Braddock wins by a third-round knockout, and his 'rags-to-riches' story earns him the nickname 'The Cinderella Man.' He becomes a symbol of hope for the American public. After winning more fights, he faces the formidable Max Baer for the heavyweight championship. Despite being a 10-to-1 underdog and facing a dangerous opponent who has previously injured others, Braddock remains undeterred. On June 13, 1935, he defeats Baer to become the heavyweight champion of the world. An epilogue reveals that while he eventually lost the title to Joe Louis, he spent the rest of his life working on the docks and owning a home with his wife, Mae.
- First release year
- 2005
- Runtime (minutes)
- 144
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ron Howard
- Writers
- Cliff Hollingsworth · screenplay; Akiva Goldsman · screenplay; Cliff Hollingsworth · story
- Cast and characters
- Russell Crowe · James J. Braddock; Renée Zellweger · Mae Braddock; Paul Giamatti · Joe Gould; Bruce McGill · James J. Johnston; Craig Bierko · Max Baer; Paddy Considine · Mike Wilson
- Genres
- biographical; sports drama
- Themes
- resilience; hope; sacrifice
- Tone and mood
- gritty; inspiring
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; sports; historical
- Source material / true-story basis
- true story of heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics and was noted for its gritty atmosphere and strong performances, with some critics calling it one of the greatest boxing films of all time.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 80% · scale: percentage · review count: 215; Metacritic · score: 69 · scale: 100 · review count: 40
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Supporting Actor · nomination; Golden Globe Award · Best Supporting Actor · nomination; Screen Actors Guild Award · Best Supporting Actor · nomination; Screen Actors Guild Award · Best Supporting Actor · win; Critics' Choice Movie Award · Best Supporting Actor · win
- Production trivia
- The film was shot in Toronto, where several areas were redressed to resemble 1930s New York.; The production used a historic Peter Witt streetcar and other cars from the Halton County Radial Railway.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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