The Academy Award#65533;-winning team behind A Beautiful Mind--comprised of producer Brian Grazer, director Ron Howard, screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, and actor Russell Crowe--reunites to tell the quintessentially American story of legendary boxer Jim Braddock. Cliff Hollingsworth joins them in his screenwriting debut. During the darkest years of the Great Depression, Braddock (Russell Crowe), a once promising light heavyweight, is forced into retirement after a string of losses. Braddock must accept any job to support his wife, Mae (Ren#65533;e Zellweger), and their children, and they suffer with the rest of the nation through those bleak times. Nine months later, thanks to a last-minute cancellation, Braddock finds himself back in the ring at Madison Square Garden with little time for preparation, yet somehow he miraculously wins. He goes on to claim victories in two more bouts and qualifies as the challenger to the world heavyweight champion, Max Baer (Craig Bierko). Dubbed the "Cinderella Man," Braddock with his unlikely comeback becomes the people's champ, and his devotion to provide for his family is now elevated to the status of national legend in the eyes of his hopeful fans.