100 Movies Every Catholic Should See #59: Cinderella Man (2005)

Directed by Ron Howard. Starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger and Paul Giamatti.

Introducing, in this corner, a heavyweight champion of a movie, a hard hitting underdog story, a sensational cinematic event: Cinderella Man. Ron Howard’s 2005 boxing movie is a story about an Irish-American boxer from New Jersey, who battles opponents in the ring and poverty in his life during the Great Depression era. Starring Russell Crowe as real-life boxer James J. Braddock, the titular “Man,” this film packages so many attractive movie elements into one inspiring story. On the surface, it’s just a fun boxing period piece. Deeper down this film is so much more than the average sports movie. It has action, obviously, but also romance, amazing acting, magnificent music, clever cinematography, all wrapped together and based on a true story.

Maybe I understand, some, about having to fight. So you just remember who you are... you’re the Bulldog of Bergen, and the Pride of New Jersey, you’re everybody’s hope, and the kids’ hero, and you are the champion of my heart, James J. Braddock. - Mae Braddock (Renée Zellweger)