Cinderella Man And The American Great Depression

When director Ron Howard puts together an all-star team of Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti, you know exciting things are about to happen. This cast does a remarkable job in portraying actual events that took place in the era known as the American great depression. The actors, as well as other elements of this film, are effective in creating an emotional bond between the characters and the audience. The strength of this bond causes all of us viewers to feel like we are somehow a part of the James J Braddock story, leaving us all delighted with its eventual outcome.

The film, “Cinderella Man” takes place in New Jersey around the time of the great depression. James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe) is a successful boxer until a hand

injury impedes his boxing career. Crowe does a remarkable job in portraying Braddock, who seems to have only one worry…taking care of his family. After having his boxing license revoked and begging for employment and money during the great depression, Braddock, with the help from manager Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti), fights his way back into the ring to become a champion once more. The elements of this film come together in a masterful way to pull at our heartstrings, till we all are on our feet, rooting for James J. Braddock.
The start of the film displays Jim Braddock as a confident individual who has hardly any worries in the world. The scene with Jim Braddock and his wife, Mae Braddock (Renee Zellweger) thoroughly demonstrates this lack of worry. The camera angle is zoomed in to include just Mr. and Mrs. Braddock, suggesting that there is nothing else in the world apart from them. No worries, no fears. The lights are turned down low, they are sitting close, even on top of each other at a point or two. Music is playing soft and sweetly, the appearance of wine sends the message that they may even be in celebratory fashion, all culminating into a series of kisses. This scene is broken as the Braddock children rush out to see their father and congratulate him on his victory. This scene is shot in a way in which it appears Howard was attempting to push pathos. The audience sees James Braddock as a family man and a loyal husband, this endears him to the viewers, building that bond in just the first few minutes of the film.
As the James J. Braddock story continues forward, tides take a turn for the worse as Braddock break his hand and suffers defeat. It doesn't take long before the weight of the broken economy comes crashing down on the Braddock family. Suddenly the Braddock’s are forced to move to a tiny apartment that's dark and cold. The fact that this is taking place in the winter is an element used by Howard, perhaps to further dramatize the situation as well as to cause the audience to feel sympathy for the Braddock family. The smiles and excitements on the faces of Mr. and Mrs. Braddock are no longer visible in this scene. There is even a point where the camera catches a quick glimpse of an under proportioned amount of food given to one of the children. The image lasts long enough for us to notice, yet it quickly flees the scene out of shame. Perhaps symbolizing the shame James Braddock may have felt at this time. According to an article in The Chicago Tribune, writer Vincent J. Schodolski shared the following insight from director Ron Howard in regards to “Cinderella Man”, "I thought it was worthwhile dramatizing the impact of hunger on the family, the degradation of hunger". Howard may have thought it worthwhile because this scene has a profound effect on the heart of the audience. At this point, the audience can’t help but to feel some type of emotional pain. They are watching the film with a desire for the benefit of the Braddock family. The audience is totally engaged at this point, waiting earnestly to what will happen to the family they have come to love.
The language of the Braddock’s is changing at this point of the film as well. There is a lot more stress that is clearly visible. ironically the language becomes much more powerful here, yet there is much less dialogue taking place. The worried looks on the faces of Mr. and mars Braddock speak volumes. Zellweger demonstrates that stress and worry so well in her facial expressions, looking down and staring at the ground, speaking quietly and slowly. Often the camera is zoomed closely on her face, her expressions clearly visible. When eventually James is given the opportunity to fight Max Baer (Craig Bierko), Mae’s worries come flooding to her once more, only this time, she isn’t worried about her children, rather she’s worried about the life of her husband. Her pain is felt as the camera focusses on shots of her alone with the children without Mr. Braddock. This element displays the fear in Mrs. Braddock's mind. Perhaps even her expected outcome. The viewers can’t help but involve themselves in such pathos. The desire for a happy ending becomes solidified and this desire unifies with both the fears and hopes of Mae Braddock.
In one of the final scenes, James Braddock goes head to head with Max Baer. Bierko shows Baer as an overconfident and malicious animal, one who has killed two men in the ring already. Through Baer’s dialogue and his facial expressions during the fight, Howard makes it seem as if Baer is wanting to go for his third kill by beating James Braddock to death. This is at least the message the audience receives. This interpreted message places enmity between the audience and Max Baer. He becomes the villain in our eyes, endearing Braddock to the viewers even more so.
Robert Ebert may have said it best when comparing “Cinderella Man” to previous boxing films.

He stated,

“They don't try to outfight those movies, but to outmaneuver them emotionally. The visual strategy of the big fight is direct and brutal, but depends not so much on the technical depiction of boxing as on the development of the emotional duel going on in the ring. When an underdog fights from "heart" after his strength and skill are not enough, the result is almost always unconvincing -- but not always.” (Robert Ebert, June 2, 2005 film review on “Cinderella Man” robertebert.com)

I agree with Robert Ebert in that this film is intended to be an emotionally charged sports drama. Ron Howard accomplishes this purpose with a great deal of pathos. It seems that most elements of this film were directed right at building this pathos. This pathos gains the audience as advocates for the Braddock family, and eventually advocates for the film as a whole after the story ends in Braddock triumph. Howard’s use of cinematic elements became a critical part in him outlining the film. His elements caused viewers to support his characters and to fall in love with this work. It’s this kind of work that causes film consumers to get excited. This is the kind of work that keeps an audience engaged, and it’s ultimately films like “Cinderella Man” that turn directors such as Ron Howard into incredible cinematic

artists.