Cinderella Man

At first I was confused as to why this film is title the way it is.  Later on after pondering the title a little more I think a "Cinderella Man" is someone who starts off with nothing and with hard work and dedication finally moves up to a better life or standard of living.  This is the case with James because at first the movie starts and the Great Depression has seem to really affect his home life.  Especially having to send his children away to make sure they are fed and kept warm.  James and his family go through many struggles throughout the entire film battling to survive on very little. As the film progresses James turns into more of a  Cinderella Man through the fights he does and makes money so he can provide a better place for his children and wife.  I really liked this movie and thought it sent several good messages to people.  One of the messages that I came across that was really powerful is how Braddock family had very little and was still able to remain happy and tried to have a positive attitude on life.  This film was a roller coaster ride for me because of the emotions and the events that took place where the family was struggling to survive then finally made it and had enough money to eat and live in their home.  In the movie the "handouts" were given and people were embarrassed to take them because it was a sign of defeat.  I think that connects with today's world because many people chose to suffer and not get help from the government for things like welfare and food stamps because they think it is looked down upon or embarrassing so to speak.  Knowing that history repeats itself, hopefully in my children's life a depression doesn't occur because by that time what if our government has no money to help people and offer relief to those in need. Overall, I thought this was a real feel good movie and made me realize how important it is to love your family ad be there for them even in the hardest of times.  

Desperate times call for desperate measures is one belief that I will always carry with me.  If my family hadn't eaten in a week and they were getting sick and needed food or else they could possibly not survive I honestly think I would steal for them.  However, I believe stealing is not morally correct by any means but in a situation like this where someones life depends on it then yeah I would go out of my way to steal to make sure my family is fed and could remain alive until eventually they would have enough money to buy food themselves and they could repay the store or person they stole from.  On any other circumstance I would definitely not do this but as I said desperate times call for desperate measures.

I could easily understand why Max's family would be so upset about portraying his character as a villain.  However, Hollywood now a days usually a good story has a villain in it.  Unfortunately, Max Baer had gone through trauma with dealing with how an opponent died in the ring with him.  Most movies now have a hero and a villain and for James to be a hero Max had to be the villain.  I do think it's unfortunate that Max had to play this role considering what he was going through previously, but film making is film making people are going to produce what people want to see.  I don't think it took away from James story in any way I felt maybe if producers knew that if Max was going through a hard time they could have easily picked another boxer to play the character and the movie would be just the same.  I don't think Max himself had that big of an impact as much as the villain character plays a role in the movie.

I think the scene when Braddock goes into Madison Square Garden to beg for money from the same people who wanted to end his boxing career portrayed a lot about his character.  I think it was an admirable thing to do because it shows how in times of need Braddock will go to anyone who can help provide for himself and most importantly to him, his wife and kids.  I think Braddock asking for money was in no shape embarrassing at this point.  People were in desperate need for money or some sort of relief just to maybe get by. The country was in a state of depression of course Braddock should ask for help if he wants his family to be able to live in their house and to be able to have dinner on the table.  I think this scene helped define how Braddock is a cinderella man because he started from the bottom with nothing having to ask the same people who were out to end his boxing career for money and then eventually boxes and comes to the top and has money to provide for himself and his family and doesn't have to ask them anymore.  Starting from the bottom and coming to the top shows how Braddock became a cinderella man especially in this scene where he was in desperate need of relief but eventually succeeds in his boxing career to no longer need the help from people he usually would never ask for help from.