Literary Techniques Used In Cinderella Man

The film ‘Cinderella Man’, successfully utilizes a variety of theoretical, cinematic, and literary devices to enhance the time period of the Great Depression, and display the importance of the film.

Theoretical devices are used within all movies to create a particular mood or impact the audience. ‘Cinderella Man’, for example, directed by Ron Howard successfully uses a variety of theoretical devices to grasp the audience and show the true meaning of boxing during the Great Depression. To begin, the first scene in the film, ‘Cinderella Man’, plays loud jazz music, instantly creating the time era of the 1930’s. Music is an essential element used throughout the film to contrast between the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ times of the Great Depression. During

the ‘good’ times, such as after a victorious boxing match, roaring jazz music can be heard. However, during the ‘bad’ times, no music is played.

With the absence of music, the audience can relate and sympathize to the circumstances since it is realistic and not overshadowing with the addition of music. Specifically, the absence of silence after a big hit in a boxing match, creates the element of suspense which further draws the viewer into the film. Throughout the scenes of the Braddock’s family in their house, Ron Howard effectively creates a dark, cold house by the use of candle lit lighting and a stove furnace available for heat. Costumes are significant in the film ‘Cinderella Man’ as it also contrasts between the rich and the poor. It is visible that the less fortunate have grimier or ragged clothing opposed to the rich who wear nice suits or dresses. The choice of headwear also signifies the difference of wealth, as the wealthy men wear top

hats and the common men wear newsboy caps. Generally, the theoretical devices used within the film contribute to the creation of the 1930’s time period and enhance the struggles of the Great Depression.
‘Cinderella Man’ is an important film for it inspires individuals who have felt the weight of being poor and down on their luck to pull themselves up. The film is intended for those who can personally reflect, connect and sympathize with the story within the film. The film is also intended for those who understand the influence of determination and a support system to pull themselves up and achieve their goals. On a wide outlook of the intended audience, “Cinderella Man” is intended for ex-boxers, and seniors who have lived in the great depression and can understand the struggles individuals experienced during the time period. Accordingly, the importance of the film influences the audience to comprehend the plot of the story and sympathize with the characters.
Nevertheless, cinematic devices are also cleverly used throughout the film to enhance the character-audience relationship.

A close-up angle shot is used for many reasons, such as to show the emotion of a character. During the boxing matches, close-up shots are used to show the impact of the fight, and the struggles each component endures. Wide shots are also often used during the film, ‘Cinderella Man’ to show the entirety of the actor’s bodies and some of the setting. This shot is commonly used during the scenes of the boxing matches to display the setting and surrounding of the boxing matches. With this shot the audience is able to comprehend the suspense and uncertainty of the match. Ron Howard takes advantage of the cinematic devices to grasp each viewer of the film, and theoretically take them into the moment of physically watching the boxing matches occur live. Similarly, medium shots are utilized through the boxing match scenes to show one or more people from the knees, or waist up. It is a close enough shot for the audience to read the emotion on a person’s face which furthermore interprets the body language conveyed. This cinematic devices are extremely valuable in displaying character emotions, the seriousness of a situation, and the setting to fully adapt to the true meaning of boxing during the Great Depression. Moreover, the audience is capable to connect and reflect with the characters as each cinematic device demonstrations the struggles the characters

endure.
A prominent theme within the film, ‘Cinderella Man’, is the value of family, love, and friendship. The literary devices embedded in the film are successfully utilized to communicate information and demonstrate the value of family, love, and friendship. Firstly, the variety of settings distinguished during the film represent the good or bad times of the Great Depression. For instance the setting of the ship yard represents the ‘bad’ times for James Braddock’s family as they are in a financial crisis, and working at the ship yard would be James Braddock’s only form of employment. Furthermore, the government buildings which provide small loans for the those in need, is a habitat which displays shame since it represents the need for money during stressful times. As discussed before, the element of suspense is effectively used to display the uncertainty of a boxing match. Although the fights were choreographed, the director, Ron Howard, takes advantage of the cinematic and theoretical devices to express the suspense and thrill of an actual competition. Allegory is another literary device successfully used within ‘Cinderella Man’ to express a hidden meaning. Within the film,