A Film Unlike Any Other

Rating: 10/10 (28 February 2005)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the right decision when deciding the Best Picture of the Year. "Million Dollar Baby" is a film unlike any other. Most films these days are full of cheap, unrealistic visual effects, bloodshed, and gore, but "Million Dollar Baby" avoids these characteristics with such ease.
Clint Eastwood brilliantly directs this movie and brings out the best performances by Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, and himself. Eastwood captures the hardships of everyday people with a dream, as in Maggie Fitzgerald's case (brilliantly portrayed by now two Academy Award winner Hilary Swank, one of them being from "Million Dollar Baby.") Eastwood turns to his "Unforgiven" costar, Morgan Freeman as Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris, the long-time janitor of Frankie's (Eastwood) gym to inspire and train Maggie before Frankie Dunn does so.
What surprises the audience is the beautiful transformation of Maggie from a long-time waitress and boxing-champion hopeful to champion Maggie aspired to be. Hilary Swank gives Maggie a determined spirit to fight for what she wants to be happy. However with Maggies transformation comes unforeseen tragedy while achieving her dream.
The euthanasia of Maggie provides the viewer with a feeling they may have never felt before or have felt rarely. With Maggie's surprise paralysis from a boxing match comes without a doubt, comes one of the most memorable portions of the film. How this part swung by without controversy is no mystery. Clint Eastwood deals with the tense subject matter beautifully and creates no cause for controversy or alarm, but creates a feeling of mesmerizing awe for the brilliant movie.
This movie deservedly earned its Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.