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Ron Howard, director of Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind, knows a crowd-pleasing story when he sees one.

In 1935, boxer Jimmy Braddock completed one of the most amazing comebacks in sports history, going from a Depression-era soup line to a title bout with heavyweight champion Max Baer, who was famous for doing severe—even deadly—damage to his foes. Braddock inspired not just sports fans, but a whole nation. He was a savior to his family, who had fallen on hard times.

Howard, reuniting with the Oscar-winning team of screenwriter Akiva Goldsman and star Russell Crowe, in combination with the talents of actors Paul Giamatti and Rene Zellweger, has turned Braddock's story into a heavyweight Oscar contender. It's a handsomely crafted film, winning cheers from viewers and critics.

Most Christian film critics rate it as a knockout.

Russ Breimeier (Christianity Today Movies) calls it "an excellent drama that relies on heart and action instead of schmaltz and melodrama. It's not quite a heavyweight champion worthy of Best Picture, but it is one of the year's first serious Oscar contenders because of its strong performances and skilled directing. Cinderella Man deserves a space on the shelf next to excellent dramatic sports films like The Natural, Hoosiers, and Seabiscuit."

Steven D. Greydanus (Decent Films) raves, "Cinderella Man is a rousing picture and a genuinely inspiring one, and represents some of Howard's best work. It's one Cinderella story that goes the distance without turning into a pumpkin, and fully earns its happily ever after."

Lisa Rice (Crosswalk) says it's "captivating on many levels," despite her count of 30 to 40 "obscenities and profanities throughout the movie." And she observes, "Despite the awesome prayers and faith of his wife, there is somewhat of a humanistic, 'man can pull himself up through sheer determination and belief' tone to the Jimmy character." But she concludes that the film is "an amazing study in the heart motivations of men vs. women."

Jonathan Rodriguez (Christian Spotlight) says, "We have all heard of 'self-made men' and Braddock seems like a perfect example of someone who felt that way about himself." But he concludes that this "is a great movie, plain and simple. We are given a hero to sympathize with, a good family man who adores his wife and kids and who is willing to do whatever it takes to provide for them. And the final scenes are genuinely thrilling."

Greg Wright (Hollywood Jesus) says, "The true story of Braddock's riches-to-rags-and-back-again career is compelling enough in its own right. But the real power of Howard's rendition of the story, and Russell Crowe's performance as Braddock, lies not in the inevitably predictable and triumphant boxing scenes but in a series of very real, quiet human moments—moments that portray the universal struggle for dignity and peace."

At the same site, Darrell Manson writes, "It is a well made, uplifting film that speaks to the hope that the American dream holds out to those who need a little bit of luck or a second chance. But … I just felt there was something missing. Maybe it's because as well done as it is, it doesn't make the top of any of the genres you could put it in. It just doesn't make it to greatness."

Harry Forbes (Catholic News Service) writes, "What's especially commendable about the film is that [Braddock] is motivated, not by the quest for personal glory, but to support his wife and children. Those unsettled by the grim denouement of Million Dollar Baby will be relieved to find Cinderella Man a good old-fashioned boxing movie with an infinitely more upbeat feel by the final bell."

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June (Web-only) 2005, Vol. 49