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| Movie Review: Cinderella Man Alternate Title: Seabiscuit with Boxing Trunks
Story: If you like a feel good
cinematic experience but also like watching men pound the crap out of
one another then this Ron Howard film is for you. It
is based on the true story of New Jersey's comeback kid boxer
James J. Braddock. The screenplay is by Hollingsworth
and Akiva Goldsman. Like other formulaic boxing films we get to watch
an up and comer fall upon bad times and then miraculously achieve greatness.
The comparisons to Seabiscuit, the underdog horse, during the same period
in time are impossible not to make. It is the Great Depression and this
country needs hope. They gain it in Jim Braddock as he finds himself
up against the world champ, Max Baer. There's an awful lot to like about this film
including the am amazing fight scenes, terrific editing and Crowe's
acting. However, there are long periods of dragging discourse and I
could not wait for him to climb back into the ring. In the spirit of Rocky, if you want to watch
a guy go from the bread line to a headline, then chance a few rounds
with this summer film. Acting: Russell Crowe delivers another
knock out (couldn't help it) performance. He is a consistently great
actor and there is not a film I would not go to see if he is in it.
Paul Giamatti, as his long time manager, stands side
by side with Crowe in the acting department. Renee Zellweger
pouts a bit too much in this role.
Predilection: I like Russell Crowe.
Critters: Horses
Food: The depression was a tough time for most everyone.
Not much food to be served up in those hard days.
Soundtrack: I didn't really notice too much annoying
music and I did like the old songs that were played as connectors from
scene to scene.
Visual Art: There's a smoky, gritty, sepia toned
effect throughout which helped to set the tone for the period. This
New York/New Jersey story was all filmed in Canada.
Theater Audience: A few diehard boxing fans and me.
Sappy Factor: It's Ron Howard ...there will always
be some sap.
Squirm Scale: I flinched at some of the fight scene
stuff but also found myself jabbing and punching the air along with
Crowe.
Drift Factor: The scenes between the fights can easily
allow one to drift.
Predictability Level: High (or why would they make
a film about this almost unknown fighter).
Tissue Usage: A few tears welled.
Oscar Worthy: I would imagine there will be some
nominations for acting.
Soap Box: Boxing is a bloody sport and I think it
should be banned.
Nit Picking: I knew it was not New York City and
that bothered me a bit.
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure. If you
like fight films how about renting: Beautiful Boxer, The Boxer,
The Champ, Ali, When We Were Kings, Raging Bull, The Great White Hope,
The Hurricane, all of the Rocky films, Rumble in the Jungle, Girlfight
and Somebody up There Likes Me.
Length: Too long at two hours and 20 minutes.
LOBO HOWLS: 7
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