Long Hollow

I love boxing.

There. I said it.

I'm a pacifist – I hate arguments, much less fighting, but for some very strange reason, I've always loved watching professional boxing matches. When I was little, I watched every match that came on TV. My favorites were Cassius Clay and his alter ego, Mohammed Ali, as well as Sugar Ray Leonard.

Now here's another confession. Tom and I discovered tonight that we have two copies of Cinderella Man for some reason, but neither of us remembered watching it.

Turns out, we hadn't. So we did. And oh my gosh, I love this movie! Have you seen it? Of course you have, because it's been out for ages! 

But bear with me because I just saw it for the first time. It's my new favorite Russell Crowe movie, knocking Gladiator to second place.

I love it because it gives me hope – Tom and I are broke, but this reminded me how bad things got for people during the Depression…at least some people. I think my relatives were already pretty broke and they were farmers, so they tightened up a little, but it wasn't such a drastic difference.

And yes, I realize this is just a movie, and I'm sure it's dramatized, but it's based on a true story, and I appreciated how Jim Braddock and his wife stuck together, didn't let the bad times drive them apart. They held on, stayed optimistic, did what they could to make it through each and every day.

I also appreciate what a wonderful screenplay this was, written by Cliff Hollingsworth; I had heard of Max Baer (remember Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies? He was Max Baer's son, and I was a champion at Trivial Pursuit back in the '80's) but I had never heard of Jim Braddock. The screenwriter counted on this and led me down several realistic paths even though I know the usual tricks of the trade, so I was biting my nails, wondering how it was going to end.

And then there was the boxing – I had forgotten how much I like boxing matches. They never show them on TV anymore, at least not regular TV, and I couldn't tell you who the champs are today. I'm still stuck in the 60's and 70's. But tonight I questioned myself…why the heck do I like to watch guys pounding on each other in front of an audience so much? It just doesn't make sense…but I do. There you have it.

Is there anyone else out there who is a pacifist at heart, but enjoys watching a good round of boxing? Let me know, and also let me know what you think about this movie, if you've seen it (and of course you have!)