Clint knocks out the audience with a devastating sucker-punch.

Rating: 10/10 (1 February 2005)

That Clint Eastwood continues to prosper in Hollywood, despite having been a star for four decades, reflects well upon his talent and his ability to make relevant films. "Million Dollar Baby" is Clint's 25th directorial outing, and the 57th film he's acted in. "Million Dollar Baby" is advertised as a female "Rocky", with more focus on the boxing trainer. For the first two acts, perhaps, it is. The film follows Frankie Dunn (Clint), who is pursued by aspiring boxer Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank, in an Oscar-worthy portrayal). Frankie doesn't want to train girls, but Maggie is persistent, and Frankie eventually agrees. Frankie and his gym manager, Eddie "Scrap Iron" Dupris (Morgan Freeman), train Maggie, who quickly rises through the boxing ranks. Maggie becomes a surrogate daughter to Frankie, who has a painful past with his own daughter. It's at the start of the third act that Clint sucker punches the audience, taking the film in a totally unexpected direction. After an accident in the ring, "Million Dollar Baby" switches from a female "Rocky" to a female "The Sea Inside". Let's hope for Oscars for Swank and Freeman, and, while I love "The Aviator", Picture, Director, and even Actor are hardly undeserved. 10/10.