Mens Movie

CINDERELLA MAN
Starring: Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger, Paul Giamatti, Bruce McGill Overall Grade: C
Story: C
Acting: B
Direction: B-

Rah-rah in the ring

With the possibilities for direct military jingoism exhausted, Hollywood now returns ot an old standby - the sports movie. In particular, boxing has that appeal of the underdog's triumph that the pundits desire right now.

Ring visuals shine and good performances (especially from Craig Bierko as Max Baer and Bruce McGill as promoter Johnston) but overall the film plods - Braddock's story is good but notthe all-out inspiration that ficitonal Rocky was (though the parallels are there)

One can't help feeling that Joe Louis (who defeated Braddock) or Jack Johnson story would have been more compelling