Lately we have been granted an intimate and retrospective look at the Depression Era by Hollywood. Part of me wonders if 1) these films are being made to remind us that we really don’t have it that bad in this day and age? Or 2) if they are warning us that our lives of comfort can change so abruptly we must always be prepared and able to persevere? At this point in my life, I do fear slipping from my comfy middle class status to one of poverty where I would need to worry about being able to take care of my family. I couldn’t imagine having three children or more to worry about on top of such hardships. Sometimes we all question the current price of living and how, if things keep going the way that they are, we are going to be able to keep providing the lifestyle we’ve been told is the one we should have.

Cinderella Man, while also telling the triumphant tale of an amazing boxer being given a second chance, also tells the story of a family struggling to overcome the hardships of the Great Depression. By no means am I trivializing this horrific part of American history by comparing it to today’s battle with middle class standings, but I thought it was necessary to point out how truly personal this movie is and how anyone of any status where they still must work towards their future will be able to relate to a good portion of the tribulations the Braddock family endures.

Two years ago, a touching story of a horse destined to overcome all odds despite great obstacles won the hearts of America and gave them hope. Even before that, many years ago, an Italian Stallion inspired generations to rise above everything, while wildly pumping your fists in the air. 2005 has brought us another harrowing tale of a man destined to win our hearts and inspire a nation and combines the harsh and often hopeless climate of the Depression (a la Seabiscuit) with Rocky's timeless boxing motif.

Russell Crowe turns in an honest to goodness superb portrayal as Jimmy Braddock, champ turned nobody turned a nation's hope. Crowe's acting career has been somewhat sketchy to me. I have enjoyed him in his earlier films like L.A. Confidential, but then he did Gladiator, which I thought was just abysmal. I did not particularly enjoy him in that film despite my feelings towards it in general and I actually feel that he detracts from the atmosphere the movie could have had. Then he did A Beautiful Mind, which I felt he chose purely in order to win the Academy Award so nearly granted him. Sometimes you can just tell a role is specifically written to allow the actor to win awards like that. So I began to foster a certain distaste for Crowe at this point. I became disinterested with his film for the most part but hesitantly went to see Master and Commander. After having seen the South Park Episode that spoofs him as a sea captain, I felt sure this film would be completely insipid, but I was caught off guard by how completely enjoyable it was and how perfectly cast Crowe was in his role as Captain Jack Aubrey. Having had my faith renewed him his skills, I looked forward to seeing him in Cinderella Man and I was not let down. It feels as though this role was made for him and not once did I feel he was trying to be something that he was not.

The role is simple enough, allowing him to call back on his physical perfections, and also play a character who is touching enough to fall in love with. A fine line to walk, much like Tom Hanks’ character in Road to Perdition, and Crowe’s talent builds this film to be the touching and emotionally driven drama that will stand up to its predecessors.

Likewise, Renee Zellwegger delivers a wonderful performance, yet still a little weepy for my tastes. Too often have I commented on her lack of acting ability, but I am now convinced that it was simply the roles she was choosing and maybe even her hair color for all I know. Cold Mountain proved to be her pivotal role declaring her more than just a hokey romantic, as she blazed the trail for strong, independent women everywhere. Now comes her role as Mae Braddock, playing the role of a wife determined to do what is best for her family no matter the consequences of the moment. Another strong role, with minor emotional turmoil, but not meaty enough to really show any amazing abilities. If she were to garner any nominations, I doubt she'd be the one to beat, but I will happily agree with the praise.

Paul Giamatti is another actor who deserves loads of recognition. While sometimes veering down the wrong road (Big Fat Liar), Giamatti again proves his exceptional ability to captivate via humor and a big heart. He plays Jimmy’s agent and the one who most firmly believes that Jimmy is the best boxer out there. While he is dubious through the first half of the film, Joe Gould proves himself when Jimmy is on the brink of giving up boxing forever. Giamatti delivers the fast paced, quick witted 1930s one-liners as fast as a barrage of bullets, and it is obvious he is truly in-step with his character and understands his role like no other could.

As with most films of this nature, the question of violence becomes an issue. I heard some of the older audience members mumble about how violent the film was, but I do feel the need to remind anyone who does venture out to this film that it is a movie about boxing and we do see a good bit of the sport and its graphic nature. It is not violence without reason, though, since it is there to remind us of the extremes people during the Depression went through in order to provide for their families. The skill of these men dancing together around the ring was beautiful. Watching Jimmy go from his first fight to his last is such a beautiful transition that violence should no longer be an issue. This is his world and if you expected something else, might want to get those logic subroutines in your system looked at.

Ron Howard, a man typically involved in sappy sentimental historical pieces, still delivers the same thematic story here, but does it flawlessly. His use of montage and the reflection of Jimmy’s mental picture during the fights is well played, unlike his overly artistic touches in A Beautiful Mind. He truly makes Jimmy become the fairy tale man who rises from the ashes to become a great man in history. Howard leaves nothing out and I think this might be his most poignant and provocative film yet. His decision to show us Hooverville in Central Park in New York was amazing. I have never seen real Hoovervilles, except in glorified adaptations of The Grapes of Wrath. It’s hard to think of Central Park being littered with shanty-towns and the image is burned into my mind now.

A truly well-crafted story that is sure to move in ways few other films will this year. A great addition to the summer line-up, but I can only hope a few elements of the film stay fresh enough in audience’s minds once the end of the year roles around. I can honestly and whole heartedly say this is a movie that can be shared with your family, without fear of crudity or embarrassment, and has depicted images on the Great Depression rarely seen before in American film. Cinderella Man will pull you in until the very end when you can’t help but stand up and cheer. Hopefully it will remind you of the Red Sox this past year and how they rallied the masses to root for the underdog and gave us hope in a world that is lacking in hopefulness.
 

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