One of the Best All-Around Acting Performances I've ever seen

Rating: 10/10 (12 July 2005)

This movie deserved all of the Oscars it was nominated for and won.
Winner: Best Picture, Best Director (Eastwood), Best Actress (Swank), Best Supp. Actor (Freeman).
This movie follows the story of Maggie (Swank), a waitress near the poverty line who has one dream...to be a professional boxer. She saves every dime she has for weeks in order to buy a punching bag to prove to the local boxing trainer (Eastwood) that she has the will to be a great boxer.
This movie moved me in more ways than one. I will not spoil the ending, but it is one of the most dramatic surprises and turn-arounds in movie history. The acting performances of Eastwood, Swank, and Freeman were all spectacular and warranted every award garnered to them.
If you're looking for a carbon-copy of Rocky or a cookie cutter rise to the top film, this one is not for you. And do not let the movie's several fight scenes take away from the true meaning of the drama that unfolds.
This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. I rank this movie in my top 10 just under Shawshank Redemption and Field of Dreams. Yes, this movie is that good. Please do yourself a favor and see the best movie of the year.