It's not what you think

Rating: 6/10 (16 January 2005)

I went to see this film last night and I have to say straight away that it's not about boxing. Okay there's boxing in it but I don't see it as being for boxing fans. On the other hand I think non-boxing fans won't necessarily hate it.
It's a slow start with Hilary Swank's attempts to persuade Eastwood to coach her. Personally I don't think her character is set up very well. You get an idea of her domestic situation through her living conditions, family and dead end job but somehow it doesn't convey her desperation. In fact I didn't find her character particularly engaging at all (see my comments about Eastwood's character below).
The fight scenes were excellent. I certainly thought they were convincing. Elements of the back story (Morgan Freeman's injury, Big Willie's departure) hint at one ending - a straightforward and predictable ending.
However, the film doesn't take this easy option. There are other elements that hint at its real route (Eastwoods daily attendance at mass, Eastwood's guilt for his part in Freeman's injury).
And that's the key - if you want to be able to guess the twist then you have to realise that Eastwood is the star of the film - it's all about his character. He's the one who develops.
It's a slow build towards the end after the twist - but it's fairly neatly wrapped up in terms of character development, lessons learned, acceptance and understanding etc.
As I say, a good film but it's not really about boxing.