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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."

Marcus Yoars (Plugged In) says, "Ron Howard has done it again. … With outstanding performances from a trio of premium actors, he's brought yet another true story to the big screen, loaded it with both tear-jerking and heart-swelling moments, packed it with honorable leading characters and artistically conveyed some wonderful morals. … In short, Cinderella Man is as powerful as its hero's punches."

Michael Elliott (Movie Parables) is thrilled. "This inspirational biopic is the best film I've seen this year and a sure contender for an award or two come season's end."

Barbara Nicolosi (Church of the Masses) liked the movie, but doesn't like boxing: "The heroism of the main character revolves around his success in beating other men's faces to a bloody pulp. As a secondary high-stakes goal, he also sets new standards in hitting hard to the body and breaking ribs. The movie tries to set his heroism up as a man conquering fear … but yeah, he still triumphs by nearly killing other guys. I loved so much of this movie, but I hate, hate, hate watching long sequences in which two men hit each other harder and harder in close-up … It's exciting to watch in a perverse way."

While other Christian critics are cheering the film, I saw a number of troubling problems. My full review is at Looking Closer.

Many mainstream critics are calling it an early Oscar favorite. Roger Ebert writes, "Most serious movies live in a world of cynicism and irony, and most good-hearted movie characters live in bad movies. Here is a movie where a good man prevails in a world where every day is an invitation to despair."

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