Cinderella Man (2005)

Handsome, manipulative, simplistic. It packs an uplift that bludgeons you into submission.

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07/31/08

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.

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08/17/07

Cinderella Man is a contender, but it's not exactly a knockout.

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07/14/07

A cross between Seabiscuit (because of the Depression) and Rocky (because of the sport), yet a fine enough film to stand on its own, even if the production falls short of both in terms of its emotional punch.

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05/07/07

And as far as Cinderella's pumpkins go, though the movie ends with Braddock's boxing triumph in Hollywood's notorious freeze-frame approach to history, both Braddock and Baer went on to be decked by Joe Louis.

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04/19/07

As entertaining and uplifting a film as we'll get all year.

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02/22/07

At moments it almost had me, but for the most part I just felt cold and watched with all the interest of a disgruntled spectator.

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10/30/06

A fine alternative to the louder and more brainless summer movies competing with it -- an excellent drama that relies on heart and action instead of schmaltz and melodrama.

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09/22/06

Howard may have replicated the family scenes as accurately as if he'd found film from a camera hidden in the walls of the original Braddock apartment, and yet the movie can't shake the sense that the scenes away from the boxing ring are somehow false

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07/21/06

The film wallows in the poverty and degradation of Crowe and his family, which is a real downer for a supposed feel-good movie . . .

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07/06/06

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

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06/24/06

Stirring and inspirational in the best and worst senses of these terms, this fact-based melodram is stamped by the populist and middlebrow sensibility of both director Ron Howard and writer Akiva Goldsman.

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06/01/06

I only wish Howard could have shaped this and the other performances a little, toning them down or leaving a bit of a rough edge.

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05/26/06

I have never rooted for a sporting event in my life like I rooted for Braddock. I was on the edge of my couch, balled fists on my knees, praying he would prevail...superbly edited, beautifully shot, sensitively acted, and with fantastic grit and texture

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01/16/06

The feel good bomb of the year.

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01/14/06

The Best Actor Oscar race starts now.

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01/07/06

It is an amazing story brought to life by gifted people and it will make you feel good without making you feel guilty for doing so.

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12/06/05

Es un cuento de hadas necesario para el cinéfilo que tiene que padecer películas pretenciosas o agresivas. El mundo necesita héroes, aunque sean de celuloide.

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11/26/05

No ofrece nada nuevo y, a pesar de su impecable factura técnica, aburre hasta la exasperación con su mezcla de previsibilidad y cursilería.

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10/17/05