This page was created on May 16, 2005
This page was last updated on June 4, 2005

—Overview
—Photos
—About this Film
—Spiritual Connections

The discussion guide comes to you courtesy of Reel Spirituality: http://www.brehmcenter.com/ReelSpirituality/CinderellaManGuide.pdf. It's for Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment's CINDERELLA MAN.

CINDERELLA MAN (directed by Ron Howard and starring Oscar winners Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger), is a story of the life of legendary athlete James J. Braddock, a once-promising light heavyweight boxer forced into retirement after a string of losses in the ring. Unable to make ends meet and provide for his wife and children during the Great Depression, Braddock ­ not so much a great boxer as a great man who boxed ­ climbed back into the ring one last time seeking nothing more than to put food on his family¹s table. Stunning and moving America to its core, Braddock won his way to the heavyweight championship.

The film addresses some rich theological themes--character, family, manhood, belief, doubt and more! Why not organize a post-screening discussion with your family, friends or small group and use the guide as a resource?

And in the end, Braddock learns—no, Ron Howard has the genius and sense to show us—that the heart of human existence is not in the glory of boxing titles. Neither is it in the pathos of the Hoovervilles, the well-intentioned championing of political causes nor the nation-building exercises of countries struggling to find meaning, peace or prosperity. The whole wealth and breadth of human experience may just be found in what we do with a simple bottle of milk.

Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' —Matthew 25:37-40

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