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 James J. Braddock. 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
Gladiator and bar-brawl man Russell Crowe plays the lead role and Renée Zellweger puts in a good performance as the ideal and very loving wife that supports her husband through thick and thin. The story starts in 1928 when Braddock is doing quite well, but the depression hits and, with an injured hand, he is forced to work in the shipyard. He and his family live in fairly abject poverty until a lucky break enables him to make a comeback.
This is the working man's hero who never says a bad word, teaches his kids never to steal for food even when they are starving, and nobly gives back his social security money the minute he can afford to. Zellwegger is similarly faultless of course, striking the right balance between supportiveness and concern that her man could get his brains knocked out permanently. The last fight generates quite a lot of genuine excitement due largely to neat editing and intense cinematography - you can almost feel your nose bleed just watching it.
This is classic American-style hero creation and worship and, on the face of it, healthy enough. So why the doubts? Sure you can sit back and just enjoy it, it's the type of story the U.S. has done well for a long time; but compare it with European cinema and it all seems very full of absolutes. The heroes don't have any failings. The choice is between total success and total failure, no half measures. Much as I admire the use of role models, I somehow wonder if more human heroes aren't sometimes called for, people who do quite well, who sincerely better themselves and others, but without becoming the most applauded individual on the continent. In watching the big picture we sometimes miss the detail that makes life real to everyone, not just the lucky few.
- Chris_Docker
- Aug 31, 2005
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Võ Sĩ Quyền Anh
- Filming locations
- Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada(boxing scenes)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1