Dramas about unlikely heroes or common people dealing with despair make for highly interesting movies. When the film is based on a real person with a bigger-than-life reputation, such as Cinderella Man, and directed by Ron Howard, you’ve got a winner.

James J. Braddock, a.k.a. the Cinderella Man because of his rags-to-riches story, was a depression-era fighter who became a folk hero when he defeated heavyweight champ Max Baer in a 15-round slugfest in 1935. Director Ron Howard eloquently brings this heartfelt story to the screen.

Jim Braddock (Russell Crowe) has had some successful bouts in the boxing ring, and seems born to thrive in this sport. After a series of injuries Jim keeps boxing, as it’s during the depression and he can hardly feed his family. His losses make him look like he’s washed up, and Jim hits rock bottom, both financially and emotionally. Like always, his wife Mae (Renée Zellweger) is by his side, whether tending a battered face or a bruised ego.

Finally forced to give up the ring for good, Jim manages to get an occasional day’s work at the dock unloading ships. But as the country slides further into depression, the Braddock family is along for the ride. Mae finally takes the kids to her sister’s house where there is heat and food, only to have Jim go storming after them and bring them back home. At that point he embarrassingly applies for relief.

When Jim’s manager, Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti), calls with a last-ditch shot to fight in Madison Square Garden, Jim jumps at the chance. Never mind that he’s out of shape, has nowhere to train or that Mae doesn’t want him to risk going into the ring again. Jim goes for it, works hard and makes it happen. Developing a powerful right hook, Jim beats one contender after another. He brings home sizable earnings to keep his family going.

As his fellow countrymen learn about Jim’s courage and his rise from poverty on the streets to become a champion boxer, he also becomes a folk hero. Then Jim is faced with his biggest fight of all, against Max Baer, who has actually killed two other boxers in the ring. Although Jim knows he may not survive, his eye is on that big purse and how it will help his family.

Russell Crowe may have problems behind the scenes of his films, but he aces his roles like few other leading men in Hollywood today. In his magnificent performance, sure to earn him another nomination, Crowe allows himself to delve into the humility of a down-and-out man who will do anything, even put his life in danger, to take care of his family. Yet even when he rises from the depths of despair, Crowe never portrays Jim as boastful or arrogant, but purely grateful for his turn of good luck.

Howard knew what Crowe could bring to the screen. They worked together on A Beautiful Mind, which won the Oscar for Best Picture and another for Howard for Best Director as well as earned Crowe an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

“Every time I read the script I would get goose bumps -- it was the idea that this life, this change of fortune, had actually happened,” said Crowe. “I felt it was important that Americans be reminded that their abundance has been built on the shoulders of people like Jim and Mae, hardworking parents who put their children as first priority.”

Oscar-winning actress Renée Zellweger (Cold Mountain) does not have much screen time in Cinderella Man, but what she does have reflects how talented she is in bringing her character to life. Mae remains a strong independent woman, voicing her opinion to Jim, yet backing up his decisions even when it’s not what she wants him to do. Zellweger allows moviegoers to see both torment and pride in Mae’s face as her expressions change within the span of moments.

Ron Howard is among the few directors today who are geniuses at storytelling, especially human dramas. Anyone can take a compelling story and make a movie. Howard makes movies that heighten the emotions, and he adds little nuances to make the story feel real. One such scene in Cinderella Man shows Jim returning to the relief line after he’s won a fight and has a pocket full of money. Once he gets to the window, he gives the clerk a wad of money to repay his debt. This scene shows what not admitting defeat is all about, a true theme of the film.

Paul Giamatti does an excellent job as Jim’s manager. I found him so much more believable as a tough, but compassionate friend than he was as a “poor me, I’ll get drunk with my friend loser” in Sideways. 

While some of the boxing scenes are brutal, this film is more about hope and the positive values of life. Anyone who respects such universal themes should thoroughly enjoy The Cinderella Man.

(Released by Universal Studios and rated “PG-13” for intense boxing violence and some language.)

Read Diana Saenger's reviews of classic movies at http://classicfilm.about.com.