“Cinderella Man” Movie Questions
As you view the major motion picture, Cinderella Man, take notes to assist with answering the questions
below (* to fully understand the content of some questions and improve your answers, you may need to
research additional sources focusing upon the Great Depression of the 1930s). Submit your completed
work to your teacher. * The same questions are also provided in an attached Word document below in the
event you want to type your answers directly below each of the questions.
1. ETHICS/JUSTICE: A great theme in the movie is the struggle to do what is right. Braddock
makes tough decisions throughout the film to do what he believes to be right. List three (3) of
Braddock's ethical decisions made in the film to do the right thing.
2. Members of Max Baer's family have criticized the portrayal of Max Baer in this film for not being
accurate. Max Baer was personally devastated by the in-ring death of one of his opponents and
suffered nightmares about it for decades. How do you feel about the way the filmmakers changed
the character? Is this ethical? Why or why not?
3. 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? Give examples to support your answer.
4. Consider Mae and Jim’s friends Mike and Sarah Wilson. Mike worked with Jim at the docks and
they came to be friends. Compare and contrast Mike and Jim’s experiences and reactions to the
helplessness each must have felt when trying to support their families.
5. Braddock states he knows what he is fighting for. Identify what it is he is fighting for. What does
this reveal about the era in which he lived compared to athletes of today?
6. Why do you think Jim is nicknamed the ‘Cinderella Man’ by the press? Explain.
7. Within the context of the 1930s write a short profile (1-2 paragraphs) of Jim Braddock for a
popular magazine. Include information about his sport, home life and other interests. Use your
imagination in providing details, and try to be as true to the era as possible in your writing.