"Baby" carries a powerful punch and knock-out performances

Rating: Null/10 (21 February 2005)

"Million Dollar Baby" is really two films in one. A classic underdog story about a white trash waitress who wants to be a boxer. She comes from a small poor trailer town and saves whatever money she earns to give to her thankless mother back home. Hilary Swank plays Maggie Fitzgerald and she is good natured and only wants to fulfill her dream. She knows that Frankie Dunn, an aging struggling gym owner and former trainer is the man to get her there.
Clint Eastwood plays Frankie and he's fighting his own demons. He attends church every day for no apparent reason. He isn't sure why he goes everyday, but he just feels he needs to make up for his lost daughter and his empty career. When Maggie appears in his gym for guidance, he sends her on his way, but she keeps coming back because of her determination and he eventually gives in. The two of them form an unusual bond. They ultimately need each other. She needs him to help her dream come true and as a father figure. Frankie sees Maggie as the daughter who'll return his letters and be in his life.
The boxing sequences aren't focal or anything special, but they're well directed and simple. Eastwood accomplishes what he needs to with these. The story is about the characters. It's not a boxing film. Naturally, Maggie gets better and better and a title match ensues.
While the first portion of the film is a true underdog story, the rest of it is a tearjerker as something unexpected occurs. Both portions blend well together and you'll be weeping like a baby. The film is a story about commitment, dedication, family, and redemption.
All the roles are carefully laid out and as Eastwood has gotten older and older, he has gotten better and better as a director. Like, last years "Mystic River", he directs his scenes with simplicity and he does it carefully without being too flashy. He lets his actors carry his films. Speaking of which, Hilary Swank is nothing short of amazing. She hits every right note as the naive woman who wants nothing more than to follow her dream and have a better life than she knows she has. Eastwood is terrific too. His best roles and acting jobs are when he is playing characters his own age. He hits the right notes more times than not. Morgan Freeman narrates the film and sort of plays the conscience of the film, like he did in Shawshank Redemption.
I don't know if "Million Dollar Baby" will come home with Oscar gold. It's not as flashy as "The Aviator", but it's a better film and it will have you talking when you leave the film. (****)