cover image Cinderella Man

Cinderella Man

. Newmarket Press, $18.95 (173pp) ISBN 978-1-55704-651-2

The story of James Braddock-a down-on-his-luck boxer trying to keep his family fed and sheltered during the Great Depression-is indeed compelling, as reading this shooting script of the film based on Braddock's life clearly shows. The book will certainly please fans of the movie, even if the introductions by filmmakers Howard and Grazer on why they were drawn to the story are obvious (""I found it so heartbreaking and emotional,"" says Grazer). Screenwriter Goldsman's contribution may be the best; it delves into how he shapes narrative. The way to do it, Goldsman says, is to ""build your screenplay around conflict."" Goldsman's challenge with Cinderella Man, however, was that Braddock ""didn't have a dark side."" In addition to the introductions and script, the book contains stills, showing Russell Crowe in his role as Braddock, and Renee Zellweger in her role as Braddock's wife, Mae. Historical notes and reproduced New York Time articles about Braddock's legendary championship fight against Max Baer round out the book, placing Braddock's life into the larger context of the Depression. Photos.