Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel, Mike Colter, Lucia Rijker, Brian F. O'Byrne, Anthony Mackie, Margo Martindale, Riki Lindhome, Michael Pena, Benito Martinez, Bruce MacVittie, David Powledge, Joe D'Angerio
Director: Clint Eastwood
Running Time: 137 minutes
US MPAA rating: PG-13UK BBFC rating: 12a
Drama
After the 'Every Which Way But Loose' movies, you'd be forgiven for thinking Clint Eastwood might have had just about enough of making films where he teams up with a short, long-haired companion and travels the world getting into fist-fights. Not that there's anything wrong with Clyde the orang-utan (in fact, his acting abilities put many of today's stars to shame), but given the Clintster's double-Oscar nomination last year for the deadly serious 'Mystic River', you'd think he might have moved on a bit from those days.
Shows what I know though, for 'Million Dollar Baby' is a marvellous piece of work from the world-renowned actor-director. He plays Frankie Dunn, a grizzled boxing manager who's left twiddling his thumbs when hot prospect Big Willie Little (Mike Colter) walks out on him to join a big-time promoter. Against his better judgement, he ends up managing Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank). She's far too old to make it and, worse still, she's a girlie. But, with a little nudge along the way from long-time buddy Eddie (Morgan Freeman), he ends up forming a partnership with his new protégé which looks destined to take the pair of them all the way to the title.
But 'Million Dollar Baby' is not all it seems. I could never have predicted what was to come in the final section of the film, where the whole thing takes a gargantuan change in direction and turns into a different beast entirely. Without straying from my remit and giving the game away, it's difficult for me to elaborate much more than that - but let's just say that any dwindling suspicions of this being just another formulaic sports movie are well and truly put to rest.
Sporting flicks are notoriously difficult to direct and even harder to keep cliché-free, but Eastwood achieves both feats with the sort of aplomb that seems certain to propel him to yet more recognition come the various New Year gong ceremonies. The performances are superb too, with Swank finally recapturing the form which won her the Best Actress Oscar for 'Boys Don't Cry' fully five years ago (since then, her name has almost become rhyming slang for the quality of her projects). And I can't forget to applaud Freeman. He's another one who's made some appalling career choices over recent years (his last three big screen appearances, 'The Big Bounce,
It's Got: Mr Eastwood wearing his waistband up around his oxters, Simon Cowell style.
It Needs: Not just to be experienced by boxing fans - this is one that all fans of good film should make a point of seeing.
Alternatives: Rocky, Girlfight, Against the Ropes
Summary: Possibly the most accomplished film of Clint Eastwood's career. Clyde who?
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 15th January 2005
Image Gallery
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External Links
Official Web Site
Million Dollar Baby at the IMDB
Comments2 Comments |
| One of the surprise hits of 2004, Million Dollar Baby provides the inspiring tale of a female boxer determined to be a champion. The father/daughter relationship that develops between the boxer and her trainer give the movie its charming quality, but be prepared for a tear-jerker... |
| Comment by:- | | 26 June 2005 | ip: logged |
| this movie was the best movie i have ever seen. to see 3 professioanl actors act like the way they did was a privalage to watch. as a male teenager i have never cried in a movie until i saw this movie it touched me in all sorts of ways. As a boxer myself it will now make me train differently. I will have to protect myself more |
| Comment by:- | | 18 October 2005 | ip: logged |
