# Cinderella Man

> 2004 film by Ron Howard

**Wikidata**: [Q647546](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q647546)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinderella_Man)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cinderella-man

## Summary
Cinderella Man is a 2004 biographical sports drama film directed by Ron Howard, based on the true story of boxer James J. Braddock during the Great Depression. The film stars Russell Crowe as Braddock and Renée Zellweger as his wife Mae, depicting his unexpected comeback in the boxing world.

## Key Facts
- Release date: May 23, 2005 (premiere), September 8, 2005 (wide release)
- Director: Ron Howard
- Main cast: Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti
- Production companies: Imagine Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Miramax Films
- Country of origin: United States
- Genre: Biographical film, drama film, sports drama
- Runtime: 144 minutes
- IMDb ID: tt0352248
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%
- Metacritic score: 69/100
- Box office gross: $108,539,000 worldwide
- Budget: $88 million
- Based on the true story of boxer James J. Braddock
- Set during the Great Depression era

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Cinderella Man?**
The film tells the true story of James J. Braddock, a once-promising boxer who falls on hard times during the Great Depression. After struggling to support his family, Braddock gets an unexpected opportunity to return to boxing, where he stages an improbable comeback and challenges for the heavyweight championship.

**Who stars in Cinderella Man?**
Russell Crowe plays James J. Braddock, Renée Zellweger portrays his wife Mae Braddock, and Paul Giamatti plays Braddock's trainer Joe Gould. The supporting cast includes Craig Bierko, Paddy Considine, and Bruce McGill.

**Is Cinderella Man based on a true story?**
Yes, the film is based on the real-life story of James J. Braddock, who became known as the "Cinderella Man" for his unlikely rise from poverty to boxing champion during the Great Depression. The film closely follows the historical events of Braddock's career and personal life.

**What awards did Cinderella Man receive?**
The film received three Academy Award nominations: Best Supporting Actor (Paul Giamatti), Best Film Editing, and Best Costume Design. It also earned nominations from the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and BAFTAs.

**Who directed Cinderella Man?**
Ron Howard directed the film. He is an American filmmaker known for directing other acclaimed films such as A Beautiful Mind (2001), Apollo 13 (1995), and Frost/Nixon (2008).

## Why It Matters
Cinderella Man matters as a powerful depiction of perseverance and hope during one of America's darkest economic periods. The film captures the human spirit's resilience against overwhelming odds, showing how one man's determination could inspire an entire nation struggling through the Great Depression. Beyond its inspirational narrative, the film serves as an important historical document, accurately portraying the economic hardships, social conditions, and cultural atmosphere of 1930s America. The movie's success also demonstrated the continued commercial viability of well-crafted biographical dramas in Hollywood, influencing subsequent films about historical figures and sports heroes.

## Notable For
- Accurate historical portrayal of Great Depression-era America
- Russell Crowe's transformative performance as James J. Braddock
- Paul Giamatti's Academy Award-nominated supporting role
- Ron Howard's direction of a major sports biographical drama
- Realistic boxing sequences and period-accurate production design
- Box office success despite its serious historical subject matter
- Critical acclaim for its emotional depth and historical authenticity
- Contribution to the sports drama genre with a focus on historical context

## Body
### Production and Development
Cinderella Man was produced by Imagine Entertainment, the production company founded by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. The film was a collaboration between Imagine Entertainment, Universal Pictures, and Miramax Films, with a substantial budget of $88 million. Principal photography took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which served as a stand-in for 1930s New York City. The production team worked extensively to recreate the period's look and feel, from the boxing arenas to the Braddock family's modest apartment.

### Historical Accuracy and Research
The film's screenplay, written by Cliff Hollingsworth and Akiva Goldsman, was based on extensive research into James J. Braddock's life and the Great Depression era. The filmmakers consulted historical records, photographs, and boxing archives to ensure accuracy in depicting Braddock's fights, training routines, and the economic conditions of the time. The boxing matches shown in the film were choreographed to match the actual fighting styles and techniques used in the 1930s.

### Cast and Performances
Russell Crowe underwent significant physical transformation to portray Braddock, gaining muscle mass and learning boxing techniques to convincingly play the role of a professional boxer. Renée Zellweger prepared for her role by studying the mannerisms and speech patterns of women from the Depression era. Paul Giamatti's portrayal of trainer Joe Gould earned him widespread critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

### Critical Reception and Impact
Upon release, Cinderella Man received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances, particularly those of Crowe and Giamatti, as well as Howard's direction and the film's emotional resonance. The movie holds an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 69/100, indicating generally favorable reviews. Critics particularly noted the film's ability to balance the sports drama elements with the broader historical context of the Great Depression.

### Box Office Performance
The film grossed $108,539,000 worldwide against its $88 million budget, making it a moderate commercial success. While it didn't reach blockbuster status, its performance was considered respectable for a serious historical drama released in the competitive summer movie season. The film's marketing emphasized both its inspirational sports story and its historical significance, appealing to multiple audience demographics.

### Cultural Significance
Cinderella Man contributed to the ongoing cultural interest in Depression-era stories and sports biographies. The film's success helped maintain Hollywood's appetite for well-produced historical dramas that combine personal triumph with broader social commentary. It also reinforced Ron Howard's reputation as a director capable of handling both commercial entertainment and serious historical subjects.

### Technical Achievements
The film's cinematography by Salvatore Totino captured the gritty, realistic look of 1930s boxing matches and urban environments. The production design team, led by Wynn Thomas, created detailed period sets and costumes that authentically represented the era. The boxing sequences were filmed using a combination of practical effects and careful choreography to create realistic and exciting fight scenes that served the story's dramatic needs.

### Legacy and Influence
Cinderella Man has maintained its reputation as one of the better sports biographical films of the 2000s. It continues to be shown in educational settings as an example of Great Depression history and the cultural significance of boxing in American society. The film's approach to blending historical accuracy with dramatic storytelling has influenced subsequent biographical sports films and historical dramas.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. Cinderella Man. Rotten Tomatoes
4. IMDb
5. Freebase Data Dumps
6. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0352248/releaseinfo)
7. [Source](https://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/Search/Nominations?categoryExactId=28&awardShowFrom=78&view=3-Award%20Category-Chron)
8. Kinopoisk
9. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/cinderella-man-a-fighter-s-tale/)
10. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
11. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
12. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/112840)
13. Online-Filmdatenbank
14. Bechdel Test Movie List
15. mymovies.it
16. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/01EB-5627-3C15-1D92-66BC-T)
17. Danish Film Database
18. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=239313)
19. Trakt.tv
20. FilmVandaag.nl