MILD
POTENTIAL SPOILERS
Ever so often, you run across a cinematic
experience that leaves you exhausted. It's a
good kind of exhaustion...it's the kind of
exhaustion you experience when you've had such a
complete sensory experience in a two hour period
that your body is tense, your eyes are moist and
your left holding the sides of your theater
chair completely paralyzed and unable to stop
experiencing the film you've just witnessed.
You've laughed...you've cried...you've been
chilled to the bone by the film and its story
and its characters.
"Cinderella Man" is such a film.
The story of depression-era fighter James J.
Braddock, "Cinderella Man" is the latest film
directed by Ron Howard and stars Russell Crowe
(as Braddock), Renee Zellweger (as his wife
Mae), Paul Giamatti (as his longtime manager)
and a host of others in smaller, yet remarkably
well cast roles.
I'd pretty much lost faith in Howard after the
horrid Grinch fiasco, however, in his bid to
become known as a grittier director he's shown
remarkable directorial growth in this film with
a straightforward yet remarkably powerful
cinematic experience. I was a tad worried in the
first 15-20 minutes of the film...the pacing was
a bit slow and camera work was just a touch
shaky. It created a bit of concern about the
fight scenes. Yet, this seemed to be a temporary
issue and, as the film progressed, actually
seemed to be a natural way for the film to
start. The film gradually picked up
pace...allowing for a slow buy in emotionally
with the characters. In many ways, Howard avoids
a lot of cinematic tricks and fancy camera work
and allows the story to tell itself. In other
words, he trusts the story and the actors to do
their jobs. The result is a film that is
beautifully paced because Howard pulls us into
the relationships in the film and intersperses
it with wonderful boxing action.
Russell Crowe is simply magnificent as Braddock,
a real life depression era boxer who became a
hero to the common man during this era as a man
who got a second chance and made the most of it.
Braddock, who was known as a "Gentleman," has an
inspiring story and Crowe brings a deep humanity
to the character...a man who is proud, but
humble...devoted, but determined. Watching Crowe
with his onscreen family (Zellweger and three
children) was reminiscent of Paddy Considine's
scenes from "In America." Rather ironically,
Considine is also in this film as one of
Braddock's best friends. Crowe captures
beautifully Braddock as a determined, fierce
boxer who doesn't get knocked out...while at the
same time a powerfully devoted father and
husband. Crowe's performance is certainly the
first I've seen this year worthy of Oscar
consideration.
As his wife, Mae, Renee Zellweger bothered me a
bit initially. Because the film is a period
piece from the Depression era, the character has
touches of her "Chicago" performance in it
including hair style and costuming. I'd have
preferred more creativity in these areas as I'm
sure that anyone who has seen both films won't
be able to avoid the comparisons. However, I
must stress that this bothered me only initially
largely due to the strength of Zellweger's
performance. Zellweger is magnificent in
radiating a sensitivity that brings to mind
Talia Shire's "Rocky" performance...yet also has
a powerful strength to it and a stunningly
believable loyalty and devotion. This is a
borderline Oscar worthy performance, but I
wouldn't be surprised to see it receive
recognition during year end awards.
Finally, as Braddock's manager Jim Gould, Paul
Giamatti offers an Oscar worthy performance for
the third year in a row. Will he get the
nomination this year as Best Supporting Actor?
If not, there needs to be a serious
investigation into the nomination process. As
Gould, Giamatti gives a daring, bold performance
that easily could have drifted into a cartoonish
character. The voice he chooses to use here
easily brings to mind the period, however, it's
also sort of a "radio" voice...he could have
easily played it for laughs, but he maintains it
beautifully throughout the film and creates a
character who, we learn, is always aware of who
he is and how he presents himself. Giamatti's
Gould is a courageous yet understatedly intimate
performance that blends perfectly with Crowe's
intimate bravado.
Kudos to the casting team for assembling a
stellar supporting cast including Craig Bierko
as Max Baer, a world champ who had already
killed two men in the ring when he finally
fought Braddock, the aforementioned Considine as
Braddock's best friend and fellow dock worker
Mike Wilson and three exceptional child actors
Patrick Louis, Ariel Waller and Connor Price.
The film also features several known character
actors you may or may not recognize, but all are
perfectly cast here.
With the exception of the previously mentioned
early camera concerns, the production design
here is exceptional including the fight
choreography and camera work. With the possible
exception of "Raging Bull," the fight sequences
are among the best I've witnessed...especially
the final fight. Additionally, the depression
era set design worked nicely...though, there
were times I felt as if Braddock's family was
dressed a bit too nicely for a family that ended
up losing heat, electric and almost their home.
Thomas Newman's score is a perfect complement to
the film, and lighting is particularly
effective. There were a bit too many "still/slo
mo" shots early on but, once again, this allowed
for the action to pace perfectly so, while it
bothered me a bit, it was a good choice for the
overall film.
"Cinderella Man" is an inspirational story and
received recognition at Indy's Heartland Film
Festival this past year. (which may explain why
Crowe was actually in town today during the Indy
500). The audience applauded loudly at the end
of the film, and very few ever left their seats
throughout the film. If you've seen "Million
Dollar Baby," you've not seen this film. If
you've seen the "Rocky" films, then you've still
not seen this film. If you've seen "Raging
Bull," you've not seen this film. While there
are certainly common factors, Ron Howard has
crafted an inspiring, beautiful film featuring
Oscar worthy performances from Crowe and
Giamatti and, possibly, Zellweger.
Sharing lessons about dreams, family,
friendship, hope, hard work and faith
"Cinderella Man" is 2005's first "must see"
film.
© Written by
Richard Propes
TC Candler's Comment
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Jacob
Hall's Comment
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