Brilliant film, tough themes leading to painful outcomes

Rating: 10/10 (20 January 2007)

I watched this film with my wife and by the end of it we were both in tears. I've been a long time fan of Clint Eastwood and this is probably another high point in a remarkable career.
The interplay between Frankie Dunn (Eastwood), the ageing owner of an impoverished boxing gym and Eddie (Freeman) his sidekick and former boxer/client is the skeleton of the film supporting the body of the plot. It's an understated tour-de-force by these fine actors.
We see Frankie lose the management of gym member and possible title contender Willy, which casts doubt on his ability as a manager, articulated by Eddie, who acts as a moderator of Frankie's stubbornness and truculence.
We have recurrent themes, for example Frankie daily visiting his local church to the frustration of the young priest, and where we learn of his long time estrangement from his daughter. We also see Frankie take some pleasure from trying to engage the priest in redundant explications of Christian theology. But he is a man struggling with guilt and looking for redemption.
The obvious answer is that Swank's character, a determined but naïve aspiring boxer, might provide such redemption. But part of the power of this film is that it is not your usual trite Hollywood fare. Eastwood has earned the privilege of making films his own way, not to some formulaic requirement for feel-good endings.
Yes, Frankie finally succumbs to Maggie's determination to have him as her manager, and he works his magic, but not conventionally. Maggie doggedly refuses to take notice of much of Frankie's advice, and hurtles through a series of 1st round knockouts, therefore failing to get the experience he feels she needs.
The growing development of their relationship, and accepting of their own and each others strengths and foibles, builds a plausible and deepening bond. Eastwood and Swank are utterly convincing.
The end of the film is tragic, but admirably deals with fate's potential for throwing disaster in the face of potential triumph and the dilemmas faced by those involved with edge-of-survival injuries. Anyone that has visited on a Spinal Injuries unit will understand the reality of such situations.
So a brave and typically involved Eastwood affair, dealing with topics close to his heart in a tough and uncompromising, yet humanitarian way. Deserving of all its awards!