cinderella man essay topic

Film – Cinderella Man Explicatory Essay

Introduction, elements of the film that bring out its authenticity.

Director Ron Howard and Producers Brian Grazer, Penny Marshall had all the ingredients of a clichéd film.

First, they selected an award winning actor to play the lead role in ‘Cinderella Man’. Then they chose to focus on a storyline that others have done countless times in Hollywood; a boxing championship.

Furthermore, the events in the film occurred in the depression era, which was a favorite for many predecessors before them. Regardless of these obvious choices, the film feels nothing like a cliché. The combination of characters, themes, and narration work perfectly to make the story authentic.

The film is about a 1930s boxing legend known as James Braddock. Others nicknamed him Cinderella man because, just like the fairytale Cinderella, he arose from underdog to championship status despite tremendous odds. Braddock was a budding boxer before the depression.

However, after the stock market crash, he lost his job and struggled to provide for his family. It was at this point when he got a second chance from his manager –Joe Gould.

Braddock unexpectedly wins the match and succeeds in several other matches. Eventually, he wins the national championship against one of the most feared competitors in boxing history- Max Baer (Howard, 2005).

It is possible to categorize this movie into three predominant genres; however, the director’s approach to each of these genres was eccentric thus rendering credibility to the film. The first and most obvious genre is the autobiographical film category.

The movie is a depiction of the life of James Braddock. In fact, its director tried to stay as true to the real Braddock as possible. The boxing mannerisms of the lead characters were typical of the real individuals that experienced those events.

However, instead of blandly relieving the events of this sportsman’s professional life, the producers merged it with James’ personal experiences. They also took liberties with some of the characters like Braddock’s key competitor Max Baer.

Historians affirm that the latter individual was less brutal than depicted in the film. It was necessary to take these liberties in order to make the movie interesting. Therefore, the director’s interpretation of an autobiographical movie was a welcome break from the norm.

Alternatively, one may classify this motion picture as a sports film. Boxing as a competitive sport is one of the most entertaining to watch. Nonetheless, several directors have fallen into the trap of making it too action-packed.

90’s films like ‘Rocky’ lacked substance because their focus was on winning matches rather than the journey towards the prize. ‘Cinderella man’ avoids this blunder by dedicating a substantial portion of the movie to James’ life outside the ring.

Additionally, even the action sequences are quite believable. Therefore, Cinderella man is an impressive improvement of a sports film.

‘Cinderella man’ is a historical movie since it relives the horrors of an important historical occurrence in the US. Depression-era films come in many shapes and sizes.

What makes this film unique is its perfect blend of personal stories, action-packed boxing matches and the economic atmosphere after the stock-market crash. It would have been boring for the plot to focus on the stock market crash and its general effect on people.

However, by selecting one man’s story, the film expanded its audience from intellectuals and historians to typical American audiences. All individuals have the capacity to resonate with others once they hear their stories.

Furthermore, the director captured the tone and atmosphere of the 30s perfectly. Its lead characters talk just like working- class Americans of that time talked. Furthermore, their costume and locations were emblematic of the 30s.

Ron Howard recreated a New York Street in the 1930s by reorganizing a large portion of Toronto. Everything from the stop lights to the store fronts was typical of that era.

Therefore, the production team used their storyline, location, character selection, and costume to portray the historical side of the film; this was quite commendable (Landay, 2013).

The film extols the virtues of honest, hard work. The depression minimized people’s options in the country. However, a few resolute individuals like James stuck to their principles and continued to provide for their families through honest means.

When Braddock asks for a last chance in boxing, he does not do it for sentimental reasons as this would have made the film too sentimental. His reasons are noble and literal to the typical American audience, so they add authenticity to the film.

Cinderella man also has the theme of optimism. The first part of the movie seems dark and depressing as Braddock’s family takes many blows. At one, point, his wife must ask a gas technician to refrain from disconnecting their heat.

In another scenario, he had to borrow change from a colleague. It would have been easy to throw in the towel, but James did not do it. He swallowed his pride and asked for an opportunity. When he got it, Braddock went after the prize with all his resolve.

James’ fight against Baer seemed like a case of David versus Goliath. He did not give up on the match regardless of the threats and intimidation of other parties. Because of his commitment to his goal, Braddock garnered support from the masses.

Many of them found inspiration from someone like them. At the time, the country needed a hero, so Braddock was more than welcome to take the role.

Perhaps one of the reasons why the movie seems so authentic is the input that the lead actor –Russell Crowe made to the motion picture. The latter individual seems perfectly suited for the role. Braddock was a laid-back and dignified man who reserved his aggressiveness for the boxing ring.

When Braddock was about to lose everything, he decided to beg for one last opportunity in boxing. Russell Crowe pulls off that scene with so much grace. He is steady but spirited at the same time. This is clearly something that only talented actors can accomplish (Landay, 2013).

A substantial part of the movie converts the boxing matches that Braddock engaged in before his championship title. This marks the greatest accomplishment of the production team. Boxing as a sport attracts large crowds due to its showmanship as well as its technical credentials.

Crowe captured both aspects very clearly. The production team made the action long enough to be enjoyed, but short enough to create apprehension. Braddock’s punches are deliberate, which explains why he beats a man who had killed two people in the ring.

It took a lot of skill to represent this triumph of brains over brawn, so the character casting was ideal for the lead role. The production team did not fix these matches into the story sequence simply to fulfill sporting expectations. The matches were in the movie to enrich the narrative.

Overall, Crowe is more than persuasive as a sweaty, determined and sluggish fighter in this film. He does not use antics to garner support; instead he relies on his wits and fists.

Braddock’s wife, as played by Renee Zellweger, was an ideal representation of a working class mother. She worried about her husband’s safety in boxing. This explains why she tried to talk him out of it and even avoided listening to the match commentaries when Braddock met Baer.

Zellweger delivers an impressive performance of a mother who only wants the best for her family. She is homely and ideal for her part. Similarly, Braddock’s manager also did a good job in the film. Joe is ideal for injecting a dose of humor into the narrative.

The production team selected Paul Giamatti for this role. At one, point, he talks crudely about seeing the opponent’s blood on the floor.

In another scene, he puts his own property at stake because he wanted to get money for Braddock’s training. His blend of humor, honesty and loyalty to Braddock are both endearing and just right for him

The production team’s choice of theme, characters and genre were perfect for creating an authentic and credible film. The director’s interpretation of the sports, autobiographic and historical film genres made the piece unique because he focused on a personal narrative.

Most of the action sequences served the plot rather than the reverse. The choice of character augmented the film’s credentials because Russell Crowe, Paul Giamatti, and Renee Zellweger were ideal for the roles.

Finally, the film’s themes were conventional, but the production team’s depiction of them was what made them sensible.

Howard, R. (Executive Producer). (2005). Cinderella man [DVD]. Los Angeles: Universal.

Landay, L. (2013). Film Analysis . Web.

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Social Issues in Cinderella Man

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Published: Mar 20, 2024

Words: 758 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

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Unemployment and poverty, class inequality and social stigma, resilience and the human spirit.

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Cinderella Man Great Depression

The Great Depression was one of the most difficult times in American history. Millions of people lost their jobs, homes, and savings. But there were some people who managed to overcome the odds and find success. One of those people was James J. Braddock, better known as the “Cinderella Man.”

Braddock was a professional boxer who became a world champion in 1935. He was born in New Jersey in 1905 and grew up in a poor immigrant family. When the Great Depression hit, he was one of the many people who lost his job. He struggled to provide for his family and even had to go on welfare at one point.

But Braddock never gave up. He kept fighting, both literally and figuratively. He started taking odd jobs to support his family, and he also began training for a comeback in boxing. Finally, in 1935, he got his big break. He was given a chance to fight for the heavyweight title against the world champion, Max Baer.

Braddock went into the fight as a huge underdog, but he managed to win in a stunning upset. His story was so inspirational that it was made into a movie called “Cinderella Man” starring Russell Crowe.

The Great Depression was a difficult time for many people, but some, like James J. Braddock, were able to overcome the odds and find success.

The film is about James J. Braddock, who rises from an impoverished and unsuccessful boxer to the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. The movie takes place during the time period of the Great Depression in America. Braddock’s character reflects on America’s ups and downs during that era. He fights for what most Americans fought for at that time: food, employment, and shelter.

Many people were poor, hopeless and destitute. The story is based on a true story, which makes it even more inspiring. Cinderella Man is a great movie that will leave you feeling inspired and motivated.

I highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants to feel good about themselves and their own personal journey in life. It is a great reminder that no matter how hard things get, we can always turn our lives around and end up on top.

The stock market plummeted, and Braddock’s and his family’s life was drastically altered. He not only lost all of his money but also because to his physical injuries was unable to box any longer. His boxing license was revoked, making it difficult for him to find other employment. The economic crisis had a significant social and psychological impact on most people.

The Great Depression was a time of great hardship for many people. The movie “Cinderella Man” is based on the true story of boxer James J. Braddock. During the Great Depression, Braddock was one of the few boxers who continued to fight. He became a symbol of hope for many people during this difficult time.

Thomas Braddock, a shopkeeper in the industrial town of Monongahela, Pennsylvania, refused to apologize and stated his belief that apologizing would put him on a slippery slope. According to Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, one of their masters once said: “When we want our vices justified by religion, it is plain hypocrisy.” This was seen when Braddock’s son stole meat from the butcher and returned it to the store. When he and his family were starving yet still had the strength to be honest, even then his virtues did not waver. Not only did

day’s work. They were happy to see him and he was very happy to see them at the end of each hard day. Even when times were at their worst, his family still had love and faith in him.

Braddock’s story is one of hope and determination in the face of incredible odds. Despite being faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, he never gave up. He fought through the tough times and came out on the other side a better man. His story is an inspiration to us all.

The movie “Cinderella Man” is based on the true story of James J. Braddock, a Depression-era boxer who became a folk hero after defeating heavyweight champion Max Baer in 1935. The film chronicles Braddock’s journey from being a struggling boxer to becoming one of the most famous athletes in the world.

“Cinderella Man” is a powerful film that captures the hope and determination that people had during the Great Depression. The movie is an inspiration to us all and is a reminder that no matter how tough times may be, we should never give up on our dreams.

When James J. Braddock said, “I must believe that when things are bad, I can alter them,” he was expressing his belief in the efficacy of protest and resistance as well as his own perseverance. In the early 1930s, Braddock lost all of his money and employment, but despite this adversity, he never gave up hope or pride. In the 1920s, while losing one-third of his fights and being referred to as a “bum,” Braddock was not known for boxing.

When the great depression started, Braddock had to rely on government aid to help support his family. In Cinderella Man, a movie based on James J. Braddock, he is played by Russell Crowe and directed by Ron Howard, we see how one man’s hope can inspire others during the hardest of times.

The great depression was a difficult time for everyone in America, but especially for those who were already struggling. James Braddock was one of those people. When he lost his job and couldn’t provide for his family, he turned to boxing as a way to make ends meet. He quickly realized that he wasn’t very good at it and only won a third of his fights. However, he never gave up hope.

When the great depression hit, Braddock was one of the many people who lost everything. He was forced to rely on government aid to support his family. However, he never gave up hope. In Cinderella Man, a movie based on James J. Braddock, we see how one man’s hope can inspire others during the hardest of times.

Braddock’s story is an inspiring one and a reminder that hope can be found in even the darkest of times. If you’re ever feeling down, remember the story of the Cinderella Man and how one man’s hope helped him through the great depression.

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Cinderella Man Essay Example

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Disabilities , Boxing , Injury , World , Trauma , Great Depression , Violence , Family

Published: 03/03/2020

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The movie is about a real life inspiration James J. Braddock, an Irish-American boxer, formerly and a light-heavyweight contender, who is strained to give up boxing due to an arm injury in the ring. It is a relief for his wife Mae, yet she knows without his boxing they will not have a good income. The United States enter the Great Depression; Braddock has to do manual labor to support his family, with his hand injury. Braddock's longtime friend and manager, Joe Gould, offer him another chance to make some money. The fight is against Corn Griffin, number-two contender for the world title. Braddock dazes the boxing fans and experts with a knockout of his dreadful opponent. He believes due to his injury his left arm became more proficient, improving his ability in the ring. Braddock is victorious, and his success story gets out, sportswriter Damon Runyon nicknames him "The Cinderella Man", and so on Braddock symbolizes the aspirations and hopes of the public struggling with the Great Depression. Fight against Baer for the title comes his way. Mae is scared as Baer, the champion, is a fierce man who has killed two men during fights in the ring. But Braddock does not fear. On 13th June 1935, boxing history faced greatest upset, Braddock defeats the invincible Baer to become the world heavyweight champion. No matter how weak things look and impractical goals can be, one can always attain them if worked hard enough, therefore, the name "Cinderella Man" suits best. Another important theme is Loyalty. Gould never leaves Jim all through the film and continuously supports him. In the end, it pays off as they get a championship. Being good to one’s family is another wonderful message is portrayed in the film. As Jim’s fights provide for his family, he is loyal and is hopeful for his boxing career, he hopes they get paid well to get an apartment of his own. Braddock turns into a hero who gives hope to people harassed to survive the dreadful times.

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