The man, the father, the legendIn Cinderella Man by Damon RunyonFrom the title, you get the idea that this story will be a myth about redemption and empowerment. In fact, this is an amazing true story about a man named Jimmy Braddock who lives a fairy tale, not a sugar-coated fairy tale, but more of a fairy tale with a twist. Cinderella Man is a film about survival and people finding the strength within themselves, to do what they need to do to move forward, especially what it takes for a man to provide for his family. In this film, the director wanted to show people who were simply becoming poor, some who were already destitute, and perfectly middle class people who were destitute because they didn't have a job. In New York City and during the Depression, everyone wore suits and ties, even if they had no money or lived on the streets, all men still wore hats. Many of the men were well dressed because they say; a man's spirit breaks before his retinue does. “The film offers a very visual kind of cinematic reminder of the devastation of that time in big cities, and Cinderella Man really dramatizes that time.” “The cameras, the actors and the location do everything they can to tell a story in a way that the audience can really respond to.” (Tom Roston)This film is not like all the other depression era films; there's a different kind of life in this film, a bit of grit in the cinematography. It's not as smooth and beautiful with backlighting and smoke, which is where most films of this type want to lean. “This film offers handheld photography that is rough and not so perfect.” (Eleanor Gillespie) Life is not perfect, this is the philosophy followed in photography and lighting. The beginning of the story is set in 1928, the world... center of paper... boxing, it's a film about what it means to be a man, a father and a legend. It's about a man who works hard to support his family, teaches his children to be honest, and communicates joy towards his wife with every look. As Mae says to Jim in a final scene, "You are the Bulldog of Bergen, the pride of New Jersey, you are everyone's hope, you are the hero of your children and the champion of my heart." Eleanor Ringel. Magic of 'Cinderella': Sweat and Tears Years of depression can't keep a good boxer at bay. In: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, GA, USA), Atlanta Newspapers, vol. 57, no. 154, 3 June 2005, h1+h9, (NP)Roston, Tom. "Two heavyweights. One great story." In: Premiere (USA), vol. 18, Iss. 9, June 2005, page. 102-106, (MG)Rottenberg, Josh. "The Champion". In: Entertainment Weekly (USA), vol. 824, 10 June 2005, p. 32-38, (MG)