MovieChat Forums > Cinderella Man (2005) Discussion > Great film

Great film

posted 2 years ago by PersistentViewer (2386)
5 replies | jump to latest

Ron Howard is sometimes hit or miss for me with his films, however this film is great.
Being a biography, a period piece and me being a fan of boxing, I was all in on this.
The acting was good all around, and I loved the authentic feel of the 1930's.

SPOILERS

When James had to beg money from people he knew in the boxing circles, that was quite difficult to watch, because it's so sad.

I loved that when James got really injured during the fights, Ron Howard made a shot that looked like an x-ray of the injured body part, and that the hand or rib actually cracked. Very clever. Also, the camera work for the fights, was some of the best I've seen in a boxing film. Really drew you in.

Russell did great in this. Renee was superb. My favourite moment was when she appeared in his dressing room, before the last fight. Really sweet moment. They really loved each other. Very inspirational. I loved that James thought of his family when he fought.

The last fight felt it took forever to finish, not that it was a bad thing, it was just really intense. Boy, that crowd was amazing. Was hilarious that people from the street went inside to see the fight. The last fight was really emotional, got teary eyed.

I will remember this film for a long time.

[–] DancingintheDark (1619) 2 years ago

I get teary eyed during this film as well, superbly written, shot, scored and acted, one of my favorite films, definitely my favorite boxing film.
Million Dollar Baby takes second.
If Baby had ended differently it would be my number one boxing film but the ending, it’s so unbelievably tragic. When I watch it now I always turn it off right before she gets punched in the back of the head, and pretend Maggie and Frankie live happily ever after as daughter and surrogate father.

[–] PersistentViewer (2386) 2 years ago

Not seen Million Dollar Baby.

This film is now my favourite boxing film. The Rocky films will always be classic, but Cinderella Man is special.

[–] DancingintheDark (1619) 2 years ago

I apologize, I was going to go back and spoiler cover that last bit about the tragic ending but I couldn’t figure it out on my phone. I’m sorry.
If you love Cinderella Man you’ll love Million Dollar Baby, it has some of the finest acting that Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, and Morgan Freeman have ever produced and it is as equally charming and touching as Cinderella Man, if not more, and like Cinderella Man it is so much more than a boxing film.
I couldn’t recommend it enough!

[–] PersistentViewer (2386) 2 years ago

Thanks.

[–] blue1981 (7774) 2 years ago

It came out in the Summer and I remember being one of the few people who saw it in theaters. It's such a good movie and I miss the days when Oscar Bait movies were released in the summer.