Cinderella Man
Metascore
69 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 40
  3. Negative: 3 out of 40
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  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Michael Rechtshaffen
    100
    Ron Howard and Russell Crowe bring the Braddock story to vivid life in a superbly acted, beautifully shot, highly engaging drama that ranks as one of Howard's best efforts.
  2. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    100
    In sum, the classical Ron Howard and his splendid cast have made a spellbinding movie that joins "Million Dollar Baby," as well as "Raging Bull," the first two "Rocky" pictures, and "Fat City" as one of boxing cinema's all-time heavyweight champs.
  3. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Carrie Rickey
    100
    Cinderella Man is not a movie about boxing, but about this boxer who personified the heart and hope of 1935.
  4. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    100
    A premier boxing movie and a forceful Depression remembrance for the socially conscious, Cinderella Man also ices it for stargazers that Russell Crowe is the dominant screen actor working today.
  5. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    100
    An unflinching and historically rich rendering of an amazing story. He has made what is easily the best American film so far this year.
  6. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Robert Wilonsky
    100
    At last, his (Howard's) first great (and filling) movie--inspirational, yes, but far from hokey; moving, absolutely, but never saccharine; and gripping, despite its being a fixed fight.
  7. Variety
    Reviewed by: Robert Koehler
    100
    An exquisite ode to a working-class hero, Cinderella Man takes the almost impossibly perfect elements of the saga of underdog boxer James J. Braddock and fills it with emotional gravitas, wrenching danger and a panoramic sense of American life during the Great Depression.
  8. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: William Arnold
    91
    It's an eye-filling, sumptuously detailed historical epic that grandly re-creates the bloody gladiatorial spectacles and smoke-filled, spit-flying, claustrophobically crowded arenas of its bygone era.
  9. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    88
    It's the classic American tale of the family man triumphant, and Howard makes sure that it hits you right in the heart.
  10. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    Jim Braddock is almost transparent in the simple goodness of his character; that must have made him almost impossible to play. Russell Crowe makes him fascinating, and it takes a moment of two of thought to appreciate how difficult that must have been.
  11. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Rene Rodriguez
    88
    Smashing, supremely engrossing picture.
  12. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    88
    A broad, foursquare piece of populist filmmaking that happens to be tremendously moving.
  13. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    83
    How exceptional a film actor is Russell Crowe? So exceptional that in Cinderella Man, he makes a good boxing movie feel at times like a great, big picture.
  14. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    83
    It's a crowd-pleasing, artful and convincing movie that just misses being great but nevertheless gratifies.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 207 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 102 out of 126
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 126
  3. Negative: 22 out of 126
  1. CookieZ.
    10
    Excellent movie! Russell Crowe is the best.
  2. Compi24
    10
    Gripping, rousing, and redolent of a much harder time, "Cinderella Man" is a purely endearing masterpiece of a sports drama.
  3. Brizzi
    9
    This Movie was undouptedly one of the top favorite films from the amazing Russell Crowe. It portrays the struggle of living in America during the Great Depression and reveals the triumphant live of boxer James Braddock. Russell Crowe plays the roll of a compassionate husband and father so well that I wish I had him as an uncle. despite being a feirce boxing champion he does not give off the impression of being a meat-head, testosterone driven bulldog. His ethical and tranquil character is what makes the film which totally contradicts the stereotypical boxer. Another twist that i loved about the film is when he goes broke and goes the to boxing confederation to beg for enough money to get his kids back. that was a really moving scene. although i loved the movie i thought the actress playing James Braddock's wife could of been a little more attractive, boxers usually have HOT wives and they are always enjoyable to watch, especially when they play the roll of a faithful and caring wife.… Full Review »
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