Absolutely essential - Eastwood has done it!

Rating: 9/10 (20 January 2005)

OK, I will admit from the outset that i like Clint Eastwood. I like his style, both his acting and directing style. I like the look of him, and whats more i think that he lends a certain gravitas to any movie he's involved with (whether he be on or off screen). However i will also say that although i found both 'Unforgiven' and 'Mystic River' to be satisfying movies on the whole, they each suffered problems which kept them from being all they could.
I'm happy to say that with 'Million Dollar Baby' Eastwood has finally done it. His direction is as precise and exact as one could want, and with a unbelievable sense of balance he still manages to create a truly intimate and obviously personal picture. For me it is balance that is the key to why 'MDB' outdoes his previous efforts and elevates itself to the practically flawless. The emotion and atmosphere is never over the top (and if anything is slightly restrained) this maintains a hard-to-watch realism which demands your attention, draws you in and keeps you involved throughout.
The real star of this picture is the beautiful Hilary Swank. As Maggie Fitzgerald she has done something many (including myself) thought impossible and surpassed her Oscar winning performance from 'Boy's Don't Cry'. With this mature, subtle and thoroughly expert turn she has proved that she is one of the most promising and talented actresses in the world today.
Swank becomes the character. Swank is Maggie Fitzgerald. In this picture, Swank doesn't steal scenes, She owns them. She holds her own and more, even when sharing the screen with Freeman or Eastwood.
This is a perfect example of classic direction, real emotion and fantastic acting from all involved. Swank deserves Best Actress without a doubt and likewise the Best Director should go to Eastwood.
9 / 10