MOVIE - MILLION DOLLAR BABY - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$$1/2 (OUT OF 10)
STARRING - Clint Eastwood (Frankie Dunn), Hilary Swank (Maggie Fitzgerald) & Morgan Freeman (Scrap).
DIRECTOR - Clint Eastwood
Million Dollar Baby may be set in the boxing ring but that's not what it is really about. The struggle for success between the ropes is a metaphor for the struggle to achieve success and a sense of self-worth in life itself. Million Dollar Baby is a story from the heart that will make you laugh, cry and think as the trials and tribulations of the main protagonists unfold.
In typical Eastwood fashion the directorial hand is a feint jab. Eastwood has enough confidence in the material and the performances to let them deliver the knockout punch without adding superflurious directorial sunker punches.
The performances are brilliant. Hilary Swank epitomizes what great acting is supposed to be in her riveting portrayal of a young lady who refuses to succumb to the society's low expectations for her. John Wayne would be impressed with the "grit" she demonstrates in the process.
There has been some controvesy regarding the ending of Million Dollar Baby. Without giving the ending away it is safe to say that these critics miss the point completely. The film is not a referendum on a particular social issue. It is simply an eloquent examination of a man dealing with a crushing burden of guilt arising from past and current mistakes.
Million Dollar Baby is worth its weight in gold.
Running time - 133 minutes
Alternative Reviews:
Roger Ebert's Review
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
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