Cinderella Man
Thomas Newman
" Satisfying finale requires several rounds of warming up "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Cinderella Man, the strong American drama film by Ron Howard (titled after the nickname of heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock) is an inspiring movie about the boxer's life story. Starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger and Paul Giamatti, it was supported by a musical score of Thomas Newman. Newman, who had worked with Ron Howard before on Gung Ho, was going through a wonderful time in his career, delivering strong dramatic scores that often more than not received critical and award winning acclaim. And though the movie did not receive any nominations for the music whatsoever, fans still consider this another triumph in Thomas Newman's rich career.
Now Cinderella Man may be another highly regarded score for Thomas Newman fans, it's also a score that carefully builds towards a satisfying climax. Meaning it does take some time to get to the really rewarding material. The lovely "The Inside Out" (with the familiar piano and string melodies) reminds one easily of Road to Perdition, the same for the lovely "Mae" and the somewhat darker piano tones of "Change of Fortune" and "All Prayed Out", though nothing changes as well when we receive the lovely dramatic hypnotism of "Weehawken Ferry", "Shoe Polish" and "Bulldog of Bergen".
Though it takes a bit of time in the end, it are the non dramatic moments that distinguish Cinderella Man from the rest. The percussion fueling the suspense in "Corn Griffin" and the Irish dancing influence in "The Hope of the Irish" are appetizers, the dramatically charged "Big Right" and the stirring emotional music of the finest fashion in "Cinderella Man" (has to appear some day in a trailer for sure) are the real deal. And they are followed by "Turtle", an honest to god stab at Irish music by the hand of Thomas Newman. Making Cinderella Man another delightful Thomas Newman score, one that is fighting its own battle in the ring. Because no matter the powerful material at the end, one must accept the occasional blows to the head by the period songs that break the flow of Thomas Newman's dancing, and one has to accept the hit and miss attempts to knock us out in the first round. But be patient, because ye shall receive thy reward in the final round.
Track Listing
1. The Inside Out (1.20)
2. Shim-Me-Sha-Wobble: Miff Mole and his Molers (1.03)
3. Mae (1.17)
4. Change of Fortune (1.15)
5. Weehawken Ferry (2.43)
6. Cold Meat Party (0.41)
7. All prayed out (2.39)
8. Tillie's Downtown now: Bud Freeman & his Windy City Five (02:19)
9. Three Bucks Twenty (1.02)
10. Corn Griffin (1.12)
11. Shoe Polish (0.49)
12. Londonerry Air: Paul Giamatti (0.28)
13. The Hope of the Irish (0.52)
14. Hooverville Funeral (2.55)
15. Fight Day (3.39)
16. Good as Murder (0.52)
17. We've got to put that Sun back in the Sky: Roane's Pennsylvanians (1.27)
18. No Contest (1.08)
19. Pugilism (1.07)
20. Bulldog of Bergen (1.43)
21. Big Right (2.51) Excellent track
22. 9, 4, 2 even (1.27)
23. Cinderella Man (4.48) Excellent track
24. Turtle (3.21) Excellent track
25. Cheer up! Smile! Nertz!: Eddie Cantor (4.03)
Total Length: 47.01
Now Cinderella Man may be another highly regarded score for Thomas Newman fans, it's also a score that carefully builds towards a satisfying climax. Meaning it does take some time to get to the really rewarding material. The lovely "The Inside Out" (with the familiar piano and string melodies) reminds one easily of Road to Perdition, the same for the lovely "Mae" and the somewhat darker piano tones of "Change of Fortune" and "All Prayed Out", though nothing changes as well when we receive the lovely dramatic hypnotism of "Weehawken Ferry", "Shoe Polish" and "Bulldog of Bergen".
Though it takes a bit of time in the end, it are the non dramatic moments that distinguish Cinderella Man from the rest. The percussion fueling the suspense in "Corn Griffin" and the Irish dancing influence in "The Hope of the Irish" are appetizers, the dramatically charged "Big Right" and the stirring emotional music of the finest fashion in "Cinderella Man" (has to appear some day in a trailer for sure) are the real deal. And they are followed by "Turtle", an honest to god stab at Irish music by the hand of Thomas Newman. Making Cinderella Man another delightful Thomas Newman score, one that is fighting its own battle in the ring. Because no matter the powerful material at the end, one must accept the occasional blows to the head by the period songs that break the flow of Thomas Newman's dancing, and one has to accept the hit and miss attempts to knock us out in the first round. But be patient, because ye shall receive thy reward in the final round.
Track Listing
1. The Inside Out (1.20)
2. Shim-Me-Sha-Wobble: Miff Mole and his Molers (1.03)
3. Mae (1.17)
4. Change of Fortune (1.15)
5. Weehawken Ferry (2.43)
6. Cold Meat Party (0.41)
7. All prayed out (2.39)
8. Tillie's Downtown now: Bud Freeman & his Windy City Five (02:19)
9. Three Bucks Twenty (1.02)
10. Corn Griffin (1.12)
11. Shoe Polish (0.49)
12. Londonerry Air: Paul Giamatti (0.28)
13. The Hope of the Irish (0.52)
14. Hooverville Funeral (2.55)
15. Fight Day (3.39)
16. Good as Murder (0.52)
17. We've got to put that Sun back in the Sky: Roane's Pennsylvanians (1.27)
18. No Contest (1.08)
19. Pugilism (1.07)
20. Bulldog of Bergen (1.43)
21. Big Right (2.51) Excellent track
22. 9, 4, 2 even (1.27)
23. Cinderella Man (4.48) Excellent track
24. Turtle (3.21) Excellent track
25. Cheer up! Smile! Nertz!: Eddie Cantor (4.03)
Total Length: 47.01