Oh no! Russel Crowe in yet another Oscar By Numbers film. But wait! This one is different. Why? Well that's because it's largely flopped in America. Just to be sure though they decided it should be rereleased. "If we keep releasing it we must surely get some oscars." was perhaps their reasoning. I don't think there's an oscar for the most released film however.

But anyway (as always) let me tell you what it's all about. It's based on a true story. Of course this usually means that some of the characters are vaguely similar to real people. I can't vouch for how accurate it is having never heard of this story before. What's the story? It's some American boxer bloke who was around at the time of the depression in America, he loses his edge, gets fired from boxing, becomes destitute, gets a second chance and then becomes world champion in the end and inspires a nation. Or something. I rather enjoyed it you know.

Despite the fact that it is seemingly so deliberately designed to win Oscars it does carry you along with the story very well. You feel connected with the characters which are portrayed very well by the major actors that are playing them. The time period suits Renee Zellewegger in particular, much as Chicago did. Russel Crowe acts far better than in the hopeless Gladiator and you feel real empathy for his character. The character's ideals of keeping a good family life at whatever cost to himself are most definitely endearing, without it ever becoming too sentimental.

Did I mention the boxing scenes? Well I know I did but I thought I'd point it out again. They are slightly less spectacular than the ones in Rocky but very effective and nicely shot all the same. Quite enough to get the adrenaline pumping nicely and to have you rooting for the good guy.

There are times when it could have been tightened a little but very few. It must also lose marks for it being yet another boxing film and one that's based on a true story. It's not enough to really drag it down. At least this one has a nice happy ending unlike the horribly depressing Million Dollar Baby.

Well after mentioning a heck of a lot of other films in all that lot I think it's time to say that I really enjoyed this one but it's far from being a classic and it's not something I would buy on DVD.

8/10 (I'm not putting the price thing in here, it's silly and pointless, though some people would argue that scores shouldn't go in either, like say Tom Camfield. Apparently the score makes up the mind for the reader. Well isn't that what reviews are all about?)

back to film reviews