The true story of James J. Braddock, a supposedly washed-up boxer, who returned to the spotlight to win the heavyweight championship of the world.The true story of James J. Braddock, a supposedly washed-up boxer, who returned to the spotlight to win the heavyweight championship of the world.The true story of James J. Braddock, a supposedly washed-up boxer, who returned to the spotlight to win the heavyweight championship of the world.
- Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 16 wins & 45 nominations total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRosemarie DeWitt (Sara Wilson) is the granddaughter of the real Jimmy Braddock ("James J."). She is the daughter of his daughter Rosemarie, who was portrayed by Ariel Waller in this movie.
- GoofsThe receipt that Jimmy Braddock gives at the welfare office is about $50 off from the actual amount that Braddock had borrowed. Russell Crowe pointed this out to the director who decided to 'leave it in to prove that it's just a movie'.
- Quotes
Jim Braddock: You think you're telling me something? Like, what, boxing is dangerous, something like that? You don't think working triple shifts and at night on a scaffold isn't just as likely to get a man killed? What about all those guys who died last week living in cardboard shacks to save on rent money just to feed their family, 'cause guys like you have not quite figured out a way yet to make money off of watching that guy die? But in my profession - and it is my profession - I'm a little more fortunate.
- Crazy creditsBefore the title appears the following: "In all the history of the boxing game, you'll find no human interest story to compare with the life narrative of James J. Braddock." - Damon Runyon (1936)
- ConnectionsFeatured in HBO First Look: Cinderella Man (2005)
- SoundtracksShim-Me-Sha-Wabble
Written by Spencer Williams
Performed by Miff Mole and His Molers
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By arrangement with Sony BMG Music Licensing
Ron Howard teams with Russell Crowe (James J. Braddock) again and shows they can repeat with a winner. Like him as a person or not, Crowe puts forth another finely tuned, very convincing performance. Unlike in real life, he can be quite humble and sympathetic while beating the heck out of people. Really, his character is affecting, especially in his scenes with Braddock's children, and may be fairly reflective of the actual person of Braddock. (The fight game at that time, or any time, was not for saints but, whatever.) Renee Zellweger, who is not my favorite except for a brilliant portrayal in Cold Mountain, plays the wife effectively and mirrors the emotions for the females in the audience. (If my observations at the showing are typical, women fans will spend time alternately heading their eyes and virtually cheering out loud for Braddock/Crowe.)
There are a number of good supporting actors but Paul Giamatti strikes again! He plays the manager who supports Braddock through thick and thin and his character recalls the era better than anyone in the film. I don't know what kind of research he did for this role but his Joe Gould is the archetypal boxing manager of the time or, at least, our cinema image of one. Here's hoping he pulled some big bucks for a role for once.
(You will certainly recognize Bruce McGill, as the seemingly hard-hearted fight promoter who could care less about Braddock but really doesn't want to see him get killed in the ring, from many movie and TV appearances where he is always reliable and who may be remembered from an early exposure as "D-Day" in Animal House.)
- Bmovie
- May 16, 2005
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $88,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $61,649,911
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $18,320,205
- Jun 5, 2005
- Gross worldwide
- $108,539,911
- Runtime2 hours 24 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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