Cinderella Man

"Cinderella Man" is this year's "Seabiscuit" on two counts. One in that it's about a sports figure overcoming the odds and, in doing so, inspires a Depression-era nation. Two in that it's an outstanding movie, the likes of which tends to come out in December but will still be talked about for Oscar consideration. Granted, it's only the start of June, but this could be the best movie of the summer that doesn't involve light sabers, aliens, and explosions.

Russell Crowe stars as Jim Braddock, a man whose boxing career hits its low point just as the national economy does the same. Braddock goes from being an up-and-coming boxer living in a beautiful house with his wife (Renee Zellweger) and three kids, to a man struggling to get a job simply to keep the heat on in the one-room apartment that his family is forced to live in after losing everything. Just when things seem to hit their lowest point possible, Braddock's trainer (Paul Giamatti) manages to come up with one more fight. What was suppose to be his final sparring match turns into a second chance for Braddock.

Don't dismiss "Cinderella Man" merely as a boxing movie. The true heart of this film revolves around Braddock's struggle to keep his family together. Boxing is the best way he knows how to do that. It's when boxing is taken away from him that he faces his biggest challenge.

Crowe is, not surprisingly, perfect in his role. Zellweger, in one of her more reserved roles as of late, is a solid support. Adding to the performances is the incredible cinematography, under the supervision of director Ron Howard, and the bone-crushing boxing scenes. You'll love "Cinderella Man" as a great sports story about a struggling boxer fighting to overcome the odds, and/or as story about the love one man has for his family and the battles he faces outside of the ring. I give it an A+.

"Cinderella Man" is rated PG-13 with a running time of 144 minutes.