FILM: THE BIG PICTURE: Cinderella s tory.Byline: Philip Key Philip Key may refer to:
Cinderella Man (12A Starring: Russell Crowe, RenAe Zellweger, Paul Giamatti, Craig Bierko, Paddy Considine Patrick "Paddy" Considine (born 5 September, 1973) is an English actor, director, screenwriter and frequent collaborator with Shane Meadows. To international audiences, he may be more familiar for his roles in In America, The Bourne Ultimatum and Hot Fuzz , Bruce McGill Bruce Travis McGill (born on July 11, 1950 in San Antonio, Texas) is an American actor. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in drama. He graduated from Douglas MacArthur High School in the Northeastern part of San Antonio. , Connor Price Connor Price (born November 11, 1994) is a Canadian actor. An early role was Young Bobby Jr in the television drama Sins of the Father (2002). Other works include BB. , Ariel Waller, Patrick Louis. Director, Ron Howard; 144min Rating THE British love an underdog. Perhaps it's indicative of geography - we are a small island in the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of an ever-expanding Europe. Perhaps it's an overly romantic view of the world as a place where dreams sometimes do come true. In stark contrast, America celebrates excellence above endeavour. However, every once in a while, even our transatlantic cousins are swept up in a fairy-tale moment. Such an incident occurred in '30s Depression-era America when middle-aged ex-prizefighter James J Braddock went back into the ring to keep a roof over the head of his family, despite having fractured his hand a few months earlier. Against seemingly insurmountable odds, Braddock won not only his comeback bout, but he went on to challenge for the heavyweight crown. Cinderella Man recounts Braddock's rags-to-riches story with a sepia-toned glow. Don't be surprised if Russell Crowe muscles his way to a second Best Actor statuette for his impassioned portrayal of the prizefighter. As a devastating economic downturn brings America to its knees, Jim Braddock (Crowe) is struggling to pay the bills and care for his wife Mae (Zellweger) and three children (Price, Waller, Louis). Tempted by a sizeable payday for a comeback fight against John "Corn" Griffin, Braddock ignores the advice of his manager, Joe Gould (Giamatti) to risk everything for sporting glory. Amazingly, Braddock wins the contest, setting up a showdown with world heavyweight champion Max Baer (Bierko), who has killed two previous challengers in the ring with his fists. The dangers suddenly become all too real. "People die in fairy-tales all the time," warns Baer. Director Ron Howard delivers a film which plucks our heartstrings with furious abandon, whether it be Braddock begging for money from the boxing promoters, or Mae shaking with fear as she kisses her husband goodbye. "Every time you get hit, feels like I'm gettin' hit too," she tells him tearfully. Crowe looks the part and perfectly captures the wounded pride of his character while Zellweger acts as the voice of reason, trying to keep her fractured family together. Giamatti is wonderful in support and Bierko transforms Baer into anarrogant bruiser. Cinematographer Salvatore Totino, production designer Wynn Thomas and costume designer Daniel Orlandi recreate the era in meticulous detail and Thomas Newman's orchestral score is laden with melancholic mel·an·chol·ic adj. 1. Affected with or being subject to melancholy. 2. Of or relating to melancholia. strings. Cinderella Man fails to pack a knockout emotional punch in the closing rounds - and, at 144 minutes, Howard's picture certainly feels like a 15-round ordeal. When the final bell sounds, we're almost as exhausted as the fighters DAMON SMITH CAPTION(S): Russell Crowe and RenAe Zellweger star in Ron Howard's latest film, Cinderella Man |
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