Cinderella Man And The American Great Depression

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Recommended: Visual Techniques in film

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 …show more content…

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

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