Cinderella Man: Jim Braddock - The Real Story (2005)

James J. Braddock was born in a small flat on West 48th Street in New York City on June 7th, 1906. Born in Hell's Kitchen to an Irish immigrant family in 1903, destined to raise a family during the depression, life was not going to be easy for Jim Braddock. His struggles and torments honed him into a fighter, one who would go on to be the Heavyweight Champion of the World, shocking fans and critics alike. "Cinderella Man: The Real Jim Braddock Story" explores the roller coaster rise and fall and rise again of Jim's life. He fought hard to earn his recognition as a fighter, and then had it all taken away when he, and the rest of the country fell into hard times during the Great Depression. More than a great tale of boxing, this is an underdog tale of Jim's tireless drive to succeed. "Cinderella Man: The Real Jim Braddock Story" recounts how Jim worked back-to-back double shifts to feed his family, and still went on to fight when the rare opportunity would come along, during the turbulent twenties. His inner fortitude became a ray of hope for the rest of the nation. Included are recounts and opinions from some of the most renowned boxing historians and Jim Braddock experts, like Burt Sugar, expert and author who has appeared in Boxing Insider, David Margolick, contributing writer at Vanity Fair and Braddock biographer, and Sal Rappa, contributor to Cyber Boxing Zone and world famous expert. The documentary explores the historically significant fights against Louis Schmelling, Art Lasky, and of course the battle against Max Baer that gave Jim the World Heavyweight Championship title, and drove Max to retire from the sport. Jim not only became an icon of boxing, but a symbol of the Depression Era and a living tribute to the American spirit. Jim Braddock had an indomitable drive to be the best, against insurmountable odds.

Inspirational documentary

This dvd gives an overview of Braddock's rise, fall, and re-rise (culminating in the heavyweight title fight with Max Baer). It is short in length and therefore gives just a basic overview of Braddock's life and career. The people interviewed (including boxing referrees, boxing historians, and authors) give unabashed praise for the man who fought a heavyweight championship contender on 2 days notice without training for it, the man who broke his own hand so the doctor could re-set it properly, and the man that inspired a nation when he paid back every dime of the welfare money he had received. The documentary also covers less well-known facts about Braddock's life. It reveals that Braddock received cracked ribs during his training for the Baer fight, a fact that Braddock successfully hid from the press. It also highlights the close personal relationship between Braddock and his manager, Joe Gould. The dvd extras include interview segments with Bert Sugar, Michael DeLisa, and David Margolick. I would recommend this dvd to anyone but especially fans of the movie Cinderella Man. This documentary dispels a few errors from that film - particularly, Braddock's being decommissioned, which did not actually happen. It also gives an explanation for the unfair villanizing of Max Baer in the movie. December 6, 2006

Saved my life!

Out of work and losing everything, I was ready to throw in the towel. Afer watching Russsel Crowe as Jame J Braddock, I could only dream to have such courage, (being Irish myself), I knew I could not cheat myself out of life, and continued to fight on to a better life. Crowe should have won the Oscar for this performance. He was truly cheated. I was sorry to hear him say he would not do another boxing movie. Crowe was truly inspirational as Jimmy Braddock. November 24, 2006

Good Interview with Referee

The interview with my father former fighter and Boxing Referee Ron Lipton was really insightful. Many people who read him all the time on Cyberboxingzone loved this DVD along with the other historians like Mike DeLisa and Sal Rappa.

My Father refereed Holyfield, Roberto Duran, Morrison, Pernell Whitiker, Roy Jones Jr and Oscar DeLahoya. He really knows his boxing history and made it very interesting. HIs real appreciation for Braddock, Joe Louis and Max Baer was a hi light for me. March 25, 2006

the most moving boxing film since rocky

First off, I do not rate mediocre films. Those can be rated mediocre by others unless they are critics who ride the psychophant train.

What a beautiful film. And how perfectly underacted by not only Crowe, but Renee Zellwigger. No one tries to steal the scenes. Ron Howard, as a director, has never allowed it.

Cinematography is superb with the camera cutting to 90 degrees and a bit fuzzy during the fight scenes to present the fighters' point of view. The score is perfect. It never overshadows the film. And being a period piece (one of Howard's fortes) everything is PERFECT.

This is a true slice of history, of a fighter's real life.

Crowe plays Braddick. A fighter who had the world before him, but was rushed to fame before he was ready, was crushed by a single loss in the ring, and a fickle media during the depression of 1929. From the part time dock job he was relegated to, to the comeback, Crowe underplayed the reality. No showboating. Zellwigger plays his wife (without gaining or losing weight a la Bridget Jones) and does a superb job. If both don;t garnish Oscar nominations for this film, the academy should resign themselves to watching Plan Nine From Outer Space over a couple of beers and maybe a hand of canasta.I rooted for Crowe (Braddick through this movie, and hurrahed at the ending. Howard will also get a nomination.

As always, I REFUSE to give this movie away as others do. Otherwise, WHAT'S THE POINT OF WATCHIUNG THE FILM!!!!!

Again, I will NOT give the film away as others do. You will just need to trust me. I do not give stars away for free...

December 6, 2005

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