Cinderella Man Film Study: Questions on Braddock’s Journey

Posted on Aug 16, 2025 in English

Cinderella Man: Film Discussion Questions

Answer the following questions as you watch the movie. Please note that the questions are not in order. The last three questions relate more to your personal opinion.

1. Jim Braddock’s Life Before the Great Depression

   Briefly describe the following aspects of Jim Braddock’s life at the beginning of the film, before the Great Depression:

   • Boxing Career/Reputation:
   • Housing Neighborhood:
   • Clothing:
   • Income:
   • Relationship with Family:

2. Braddock’s Work During the Depression

   What type of job does Braddock work during the Great Depression? What prevents him from working this job on a consistent basis?

3. Braddock and Wilson’s Views on the Depression

   After working the docks, Jim Braddock and his co-worker Mike Wilson discuss the situation of the Great Depression. How do both Braddock and Wilson view the situation?

4. Family Separation and Braddock’s Reaction

   Why does Braddock become upset when he finds out his wife sent the kids away to her family? What does he do to get his kids back?

5. Braddock’s Reputation Upon Return to Boxing

   Why does Braddock have such a strong reputation with the crowd and people of New York when he returns to boxing after his hand injury?

6. Mae’s Reaction to Another Fight

   When Braddock’s trainer Joe Gould offers Jim another fight after winning the first, how does Jim’s wife Mae react and why does she react that way?

7. Mae’s Discoveries at Joe’s House

   When Mae confronts Joe at his house, what does she find out? When Joe steps out of the room, what does Joe’s wife say to Mae that relates to how women felt during the Great Depression?

8. Braddock’s Motivation for Winning

   What did Braddock use as motivation to help win his boxing matches throughout the film?

9. Understanding “Hooverville” in the Film

   Explain what “Hooverville” was and describe how it is displayed in the movie?

10. Braddock’s Championship Bout Declaration

    During the press conference for the championship bout, what does Braddock say he is fighting for this time around and what do you think it means?

11. Mae’s Pre-Fight Realization

    Where does Mae go before Braddock’s championship fight? What does she realize while she is there?

12. Championship Fight Result

    What is the final result of the championship fight between Jim Braddock and Max Baer?

13. Contemporary Issues vs. Braddock Family Challenges

    What issues do people today deal with that are similar to those of the Braddock family? How are today’s issues different? What sorts of new issues will our children face?

14. Impact of the Great Depression on Socio-Economic Classes

    The Great Depression affected everyone to some degree. How were the people in the movie affected? How were the different socio-economic classes affected?

15. Ethics of Difficult Decisions: Braddock’s Debt & Stealing

    Doing what is right is sometimes difficult. How difficult was it for Braddock to pay off his debt to the government at a time when no one was giving back? The scene where Braddock’s son explains why he stole is extremely powerful. Would you steal if your family hadn’t eaten in a week, or if your family’s ability to stay together depended on it? How do you feel about the ethics of this decision?

Personal Diet Analysis

Describa su dieta y su calidad de acuerdo con los requisitos nutricionales y energéticos de acuerdo a su edad, sexo y nivel de actividad.