For honor

Review by Vives Anunciacion

Cinderella Man
Directed by Ron Howard
Written by Cliff Hollingsworth
Starring Russell Crowe. Renee Zellweger, Paul Giamatti
PG 13/ 144 minutes
Universal Pictures/ Miramax Films
Opens September 14

There’s a movie about a people’s champ that’s inspiring to see. It’s not Lisensyadong Kamao. Cinderella Man, starring former Roman Gladiator Russell Crowe is a rousing fairy tale if it is one.

Jim Braddock (Russell Crowe) is a promising heavyweight boxer who is forced to retire early due to a disabling wrist injury. Out of work during in early years of the Great Depression, Braddock struggles every day to feed his young family. Temporary work in the local wharf restores his physical strength, but the pay isn’t enough to keep the kids warm in winter.

Jim’s tough talking manager Joe Gould, passionately played by Paul Giamatti (from Sideways), enlists him for a one-time supporting bout, which Jim wins much to everyone’s surprise. The win earns Jim recognition from his former ring employers and the admiration of his fellow workers in the docks. A few more fights and Jim becomes a local legend, as an ordinary man given a second chance at being great during the most difficult time in America’s economy. He ‘s given the moniker Cinderella Man, whose fairy tale return to boxing greatness is supported by the masses.

Eventually Jim reaches the championship fight against heavyweight titleholder Max Baer (Craig Bierko), whose deathly blows are infamous for literally killing his opponents in the ring. This fact scares Jim’s loyal wife, Mae (Renee Zellweger), who would rather see Jim working peacefully in the docks rather than find her husband lifeless after one round. Jim stands his ground, and fights Baer for all his worth, even his life, for the honor of all those who believe in him.

Ron Howard reunites with his A Beautiful Mind team to make this Depression-era historical drama about second chances and the human will to survive. Russell Crowe, best remembered as Maximus in Gladiator, reenters the fighting ring as American boxing legend Jim Braddock, who fought Max Baer for 15 historic rounds in 1935. Paul Giamatti deserves an Oscar nomination for his role as Joe Gould, though nearly everyone in the cast gave commendable performances.

However, casting Renee Zellweger as Jim’s loyal wife Mae is the chink in Cinderella Man’s formidable acting power. She is simply off in this movie, partly reprising her technique as Roxy Hart in Chicago and partly not exerting any effort at all. Zellweger and Crowe don’t make chemistry onscreen, crucial for the strong bond between husband and wife Jim and Mae Braddock. Too bad for the otherwise superb ensemble acting. Camerawork is impressive, and editing is excellent.

At more than two hours, the Depression-era drama is slow in the first hour, while the remaining second half is predictable, no thanks to 2003’s feel-good Depression drama, Seabiscuit. Then again there’s always a need to discover everyday heroes anywhere.

Cinderella Man is a thoroughly well-made, feel-good boxing movie, maybe even excellently made, except that it lacks the stamina to last until the final rounds of Oscars fight. We’ve seen Million Dollar Baby, Raging Bull, The Champ, and an entire Rocky series. Cinderella Man is Seabiscuit in a fight ring, where gloves are more important than the shoes.