I saw this movie the day after the Pope died (screen)

Rating: 4/10 (6 April 2005)

Some people can think that reality & movies are two worlds apart. I advise for the contrary. Philosophy for our personal life can be found in the two.
So it was easy to associate this movie with the news event of Jean Paul II, because the both heroes have the strength and courage to choose for the last decision of their life. They know that their choices are only a "one way ticket" and there is no come back. But they stick to it, and in a strange sense, they find happiness and serenity.
Having the same ending than "Boys don't cry" (the same actress, the same Oscar), this movie is thus radically different. But, in the same time, the character/actress shows also the exact state of mind: determination, an insatiability for happiness, and a will that never goes down even in the worst time. I find those movies to give me the "peach".
This movie isn't only its last 30 minutes. For one hour before, it talks about boxing, and it was quite interesting. The locations (either, the club or the ring), the lightning of this movie (close to black and white) give a sense of intemporality in a sense that this story could happen in the 20s, the 50s, or in the XXI. As there is no distraction from the settings, the message of this sport, and the long development of the relationship between Swank & Eastwood are more clearly evident.
At last, the music is perfect: tragically beautiful "à la" Badalamenti. And my big surprise was to see that the composer is . Eastwood himself!!!
In conclusion, a film that will knock you down !