Million Dollar Baby

Cast: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel, Mike Colter, Anthony Mackie, Brian O'Byrne, Margo Martindale, Riki Lindhome, Lucia Rijker, Michael Pena, Bruce MacVittie
Director: Clint Eastwood
Genre: Drama
Rated: M 15+ adult themes, medium level violence, medium level coarse language
Running Time: 132 Minutes

Winner 2005 Golden Globe : **Best Actress in a Drama - Hilary Swank** / **Best Director - Clint Eastwood**

Synopsis:
Frankie Dunn (CLINT EASTWOOD) has trained and managed some incredible fighters during a lifetime spent in the ring. The most important lesson he teaches his boxers is the one that rules his life: above all, always protect yourself. In the wake of a painful estrangement from his daughter, Frankie has been unwilling to let himself get close to anyone for a very long time. His only friend is Eddie "Scrap Iron" Dupris (MORGAN FREEMAN), an ex-boxer who looks after Frankie's gym and knows that beneath his gruff exterior is a man who has attended Mass almost every day for the past 23 years, seeking the forgiveness that somehow continues to elude him.
Then Maggie Fitzgerald (HILARY SWANK) walks into his gym.

Maggie's gotten herself this far on raw talent, unshakable focus and a tremendous force of will. But more than anything, what she wants is for someone to believe in her. The last thing Frankie needs is that kind of responsibility - let alone that kind of risk. He tells Maggie the blunt hard truth: she's too old and he doesn't train girls. But 'no' has little meaning when you have no other choice. Unwilling or unable to give up on her life's ambition, Maggie wears herself to the bone at the gym every day, encouraged only by Scrap. Finally won over by Maggie's sheer determination, Frankie begrudgingly agrees to take her on.

In turns exasperating and inspiring each other, the two come to discover that they share a common spirit that transcends the pain and loss of their pasts, and find in each other a sense of family they lost long ago. What they don't know is that soon they will both face a battle that's going to demand more heart and courage than any they've ever known.

My Verdict:
'Million Dollar Baby' is not a boxing movie per se, but a movie about the relationship between a boxing coach, a female wannabe boxer and the man who is caretaker at the gym where they all initially meet. Clint Eastwood as Frankie Dunn, is simply brilliant in a role that seems so made for him, it would be unfeasible to believe anyone else could have possibly cast in it. He is the aged, wise trainer who has lived boxing his whole life and at his age could do without any angst from any source. His only other occupation seems to be attending church every day where he does his best to antagonise the minister.

Along comes the outstanding Hilary Swank as Maggie Fitzgerald, an optimistic wannabe boxer that won't take no for an answer when Frank tells her that he's not interested and never will be in training a female boxer. Of course, time will change that decision and Frank and Maggie forge a friendship based not only boxing but also on a special bond almost akin to a father/daughter relationship. The raw grittiness of the boxing world is so aptly portrayed that you can almost smell the liniment in the cinema.

Eddie "Scrap Iron" Dupris is so eloquently played by veteran Morgan Freeman. He completes the three-way relationship with Frankie and Maggie, which is central to the narrative, narrating part of the story in voiceover as a letter to Frank's estranged daughter. Wise beyond his aging years, Eddie gives good advice, which, although cryptic at times, is taken on board by others. It is the relationships between the three leads in this movie that will be tougher than any bout in the ring.

'Million Dollar Baby' moves into a final third act, where sheer emotion will force you to become involved, like it or not, and make you question your own ideals and beliefs. It is incredibly moving, hard to take on board at times and so, so special and poignant.

This is the 25th film Eastwood has directed, the 57th film in which he has acted, and the 21st he has produced which is a phenomenal record and testimony to his skill and endurance! Oh, and Eastwood scored 'Million Dollar Baby' as well! The flawless performances by the cast, the perfect settings and the pure emotional journey you will be taken on make 'Million Dollar Baby' a must-see movie and another feather in Eastwood's brilliant career.

Rating : A+

Christina Bruce