Fri., Jun. 3, 2005 12:00 AM PDT
As the title tells us, this is a fairy tale, but a true one: Depression-era working-class boxer and perennial underdog James J. Braddock (
Russell Crowe) makes his way from the local New Jersey gyms to fight for the heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden in 1935. Oh, and the downtrodden country rallies around him. Like
Seabiscuit but with gloves, you know that he's gonna triumph over major adversity, and fight--literally--for his family and dignity.
Director
Ron Howard doesn't pull any surprise moves here, yet the movie gets more and more gripping with each punch. Like
Chris Rock says, Crowe is the perfect man for any period piece (this one included), and his cut man
Paul Giamatti encourages him with class and cleverness. When people cheer in the theater, it's totally acceptable. The
Man's next bout: the Academy Awards.
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