Elbow and the film Cinderella Man

I've been asked by a friend "what is the connection between the film Cinderella Man and the band Elbow?"

I dunno

Anyone help, I ain't seen the film and a quick Google search hasn't turned up anything.

Based on this IMDB review,

"During the Great Depression, a common-man hero, James J. Braddock--a.k.a. the Cinderella Man--was to become one of the most surprising sports legends in history. By the early 1930s, the impoverished ex-prizefighter was seemingly as broken-down, beaten-up and out-of-luck as much of the rest of the American populace who had hit rock bottom. His career appeared to be finished, he was unable to pay the bills, the only thing that mattered to him--his family--was in danger, and he was even forced to go on Public Relief. But deep inside, Jim Braddock never relinquished his determination. Driven by love, honor and an incredible dose of grit, he willed an impossible dream to come true. In a last-chance bid to help his family, Braddock returned to the ring. No one thought he had a shot. However Braddock, fueled by something beyond mere competition, kept winning. Suddenly, the ordinary working man became the mythic athlete. Carrying the hopes and dreams of the disenfranchised on his shoulders, Braddock rocketed through the ranks, until this underdog chose to do the unthinkable: take on the heavyweight champ of the world, the unstoppable Max Baer, renowned for having killed two men in the ring"
(Written by Sujit R. Varma)

I wonder if your mate is getting at the parallels between the bands' passion and sheer will of determination to keep going - especially when Leaders came out, as that was almost the last thing they did. There was a real risk they would be skint, finally demoralised to the point of giving up and have had to get day jobs. The pressure was even harder for Mark, Craig & Jupp with their own families to support.

TSSK is comparable to the 'last ditch attempt' in the film, with their love of what they do fuelling the amazing worldwide commercial and critical success they've had since. I'm not sure who or what the equivalent of the Max Baer character would be, but you can certainly say they've won over a lot of music press and critics in the last year and a bit!

/Puts down bunch of straws I'd been clutching

You may well be right with that Mrs W, but I think you are indeed clutching at straws! Nice theory though

Unfortunately, my mate knows nowt about Elbow and was just passing on a question he'd heard from someone else, as he thought I would know the answer.

Another mate reckons there's an "elbow wrestling" scene in the film, so it could be that I suppose. Bit tenuous mind.

Grrr... I hate when that happens... I'll always be wondering about it now...

Hi everyone

Damon Runyon was an American short story writer.

He is credited with giving the boxer James Braddock his nickname "The Cinderella Man"
One of the characters in Runyons books was nicknamed "The Seldom Seen Kid"

And before you ask. No I'm not an expert on American literature in the first half of the 20th century, I'm just a very lucky Googler!

Have a nice weekend

Wahey!!

I knew that someone on here would come through! Well done Sparky!

That is a pretty tenuous link though eh

It's good enough for me!

Fantastic!
Well done, Sparky!