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Cinderella Man

Play trailer 2:23 Poster for Cinderella Man PG-13 Released Jun 3, 2005 2h 24m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 208 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
During the Great Depression, ex-boxer James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe) works as a day laborer until his former manager Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti) offers him a one-time slot against a rising young contender. After he wins a shocking upset, Braddock goes back into the ring full time, against the wishes of his frightened wife, Mae (Renée Zellweger). Dubbed "The Cinderella Man" for his rags-to-riches story, Braddock sets his sights on the defending champion, the fearsome Max Baer (Craig Bierko).
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Critics Consensus

With grittiness and an evocative sense of time and place, Cinderella Man is a powerful underdog story. And Ron Howard and Russell Crowe prove to be a solid combination.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Howard's movie skillfully delivers that primal, heart-pounding satisfaction that is the promise of all boxing tales. Nov 1, 2007 Full Review Jay Ruttenberg Time Out As for the fights themselves, Howard brings nothing new to the canvas. Like the movie as a whole, they work fine enough, even while encased in leaden certitude. Aug 17, 2007 Full Review Mark Salisbury Time Out The fight scenes have a stinging authenticity and, although at 144 minutes it outstays its welcome, this is Howard's best film since Apollo 13 Jun 24, 2006 Full Review David Walsh World Socialist Web Site As a film, Cinderella Man is terribly weak, thoroughly sentimental and predictable. Feb 15, 2021 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Giamatti gives a daring, bold performance that easily could have drifted into a cartoonish character. Rated: 3.5/4.0 Sep 5, 2020 Full Review Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News In a season where adult films are at a minimum, it is a breath of fresh air. Nov 18, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Faiz D 'Cinderella Man' is just phenomenal, and very well-acted. Paul Giamatti was incredible, and Russell Crow delivered yet another great performance as struggling boxer James Braddock. One of the best boxing movies I've seen. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/13/25 Full Review Lance G I love this film. It's a heart warming story that acts as a touchstone to me personally as a father. If you enjoy a good comeback movie and enjoying the story of a person overcoming life's obstacles, then this is worth your time. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/07/25 Full Review thiago s Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas de boxe são mais ou menos, o elenco é bacaninha, mas ninguém ajudou a melhorar o filme, a história é fraca, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e mais relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom, o filme ainda teve um pouco de drama, mas isso não melhorou o filme. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/17/25 Full Review Garrett B One of my all new favorite boxing biopics. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/18/25 Full Review Shane O Great acting, some scenes dragged a little and it was a bit cheesy but over all worth a watch Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/25 Full Review Drew B A powerhouse of a movie. Every performance pitch perfect. Crisp dialogue. A movie with something to say about The Great Depression. At its core; beyond being inspirational, beyond the blows we see coming at the screen, is a love story. Which for me is the hook. I love this movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/07/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Ron Howard

Director

Russell Crowe

Jim Braddock

Renée Zellweger

Mae Braddock

Paul Giamatti

Joe Gould

Craig Bierko

Max Baer

Paddy Considine

Mike Wilson

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Cinderella Man

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Cinderella Man

An In-Depth Breakdown of 'Cinderella Man' An In-Depth Breakdown of 'Cinderella Man' 16:11 Cinderella Man: Trailer 1 Cinderella Man: Trailer 1 2:23 View more videos
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Cinderella Man

RUSSELL CROWE (as Jim Braddock, center), PAUL GIAMATTI (as Joe Gould, far right), cast and crew on the set of "Cinderella Man." RUSSELL CROWE (as Jim Braddock) and legendary boxing trainer/consultant ANGELO DUNDEE (right) on the set of "Cinderella Man." RUSSELL CROWE (as Jim Braddock) and along the way) and Director RON HOWARD (right) on the set of "Cinderella Man" RUSSELL CROWE portrays Jim Braddock. Playing opposite Crowe is RENÉE ZELLWEGER as his devoted wife, Mae. PAUL GIAMATTI as Jim Braddock's longtime manager, Joe Gould, in "Cinderella Man." RUSSELL CROWE portrays Jim Braddock, who entered the boxing ring to provide for his family during the Great Depression--and became a national hero along the way--in "Cinderella Man." RUSSELL CROWE portrays boxer Jim Braddock, who entered the ring to provide for his family during the Great Depression--and became a national hero along the way--in Cinderella Man. RUSSELL CROWE portrays boxer Jim Braddock, who entered the ring to provide for his family during the Great Depression--and became a national hero along the way--in Cinderella Man RUSSELL CROWE portrays Jim Braddock, who entered the boxing ring to provide for his family during the Great Depression--and became a national hero along the way--in "Cinderella Man." RUSSELL CROWE (as Jim Braddock) and Director RON HOWARD (left) on the set of "Cinderella Man." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis During the Great Depression, ex-boxer James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe) works as a day laborer until his former manager Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti) offers him a one-time slot against a rising young contender. After he wins a shocking upset, Braddock goes back into the ring full time, against the wishes of his frightened wife, Mae (Renée Zellweger). Dubbed "The Cinderella Man" for his rags-to-riches story, Braddock sets his sights on the defending champion, the fearsome Max Baer (Craig Bierko).
Director
Ron Howard
Producer
Brian Grazer
Screenwriter
Akiva Goldsman, Cliff Hollingsworth
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Imagine Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Some Language|Intense Boxing Violence)
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 3, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$61.6M
Runtime
2h 24m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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