Crowe a natural Depression-era hero

To fellow baby boomers, the Great Depression represented a human saga

of mythic proportions and was related to us by our parents and

grandparents, who actually lived through it. The stock market crash

of 1929 is a historical footnote to much of today’s movie-going

public; as distant an event as World War I or the sinking of the

Titanic.

“Cinderella Man” shows us that an event of such great human

suffering is still a rich source of touching and inspirational

stories.

The film tells of the unlikely comeback of boxer James J.

Braddock, a damaged journeyman fighter seemingly well past his prime.

Once a well-regarded light-heavyweight who actually fought main

events at the old Madison Square Garden, Braddock (Russell Crowe) is

wiped out by the stock market crash and lives in a crowded tenement

with his wife, Mae (Renee Zellweger), and their three children.

Queuing up with other desperate men at the docks each day, Braddock

waits for the foreman to dole out the few jobs available.

Though he is past his prime and suffering with a right hand he has

broken many times, James is able to pick up the occasional club fight

to help make ends meet. While fighting for $50, win or lose, James

breaks his hand again and is denied his purse due to what is

perceived as a lackluster effort. When the additional penalty of

revoking his boxing license is assessed, James’ boxing career is

almost certainly over.

The Braddock family suffers one hardship after another, as James

is only able to work sporadically. To keep the children from freezing

in the unheated apartment, Mae actually sends them off to live with

other family members. At best, the family eats meager portions of

fried baloney for every meal. James must eventually swallow his pride

and apply for public assistance in order for the family to stay

together.

One day, James’ former manager Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti) shows up

to offer him one last fight for $250, a godsend to the family. James

is being allowed to fight just this one time to further the career of

an up and coming heavyweight. James has never been knocked out and

the promoters hope the young fighter will be the one to put him down

for good. Much to the surprise of everyone, including himself, James

knocks out his opponent.

James is offered up to other promising fighters and continues to

win, eventually positioning himself as the No. 1 contender. This

status results in a title match with champion Max Baer, a fearsome

slugger who has killed two men in the ring.

Everyone, even the promoters, tries to dissuade James from

fighting Baer, but Braddock’s most fearsome opponents have been

poverty and hunger.

As he tells Mae, in the ring, “at least I know who’s hitting me.”

“Cinderella Man” could be cloyingly sentimental, if not for the

excellent direction of Ron Howard and the natural portrayal of

Braddock by Russell Crowe.

Braddock is vicious in the ring, yet so decent and intensely

devoted to his family outside of it that it wouldn’t play true in the

hands of a lesser actor. Crowe always projects great physical

presence on-screen and this suits him well in his portrayal of this

gentle warrior.

Zellweger is convincing as the loyal wife who fully supports her

husband but won’t listen to his fights on the radio or attend them.

Giamatti has the thankless role here of being somewhat of a

caricature of a Depression-era boxing manager. However, even under

these circumstances, Giamatti has his moments.

“Cinderella Man” is in a class with the best portrayals of

Depression-era America. Like such films as “Grapes of Wrath,” it

gives a human face to a societal catastrophe.

Beside the inspirational aspects of Braddock’s boxing exploits,

the beautiful love story of James, Mae, and their entire family is

tender and moving. “Cinderella Man” doesn’t shy away from the

brutality of boxing nor does it glorify the violence. It is simply

what this man does to save himself and his family.

In a season marked by films aimed at preteens, “Cinderella Man”

(as Braddock was tagged by Damon Runyon himself) is a serious and

uplifting diversion. Due to the violent boxing sequences and some

strong language, “Cinderella Man” is deservedly rated PG-13. Those

unfazed by these factors will be privileged to see what is most

assuredly an early Academy Award favorite.

* VAN NOVACK, 50, is the director of institutional research at Cal

State Long Beach and lives in Huntington Beach with his wife

Elizabeth.