most deserving winner of the Best Picture

Rating: 10/10 (20 July 2005)

In honor of its recent release to DVD, I have chosen Million Dollar Baby to review. Never have I had so many ask me about a single film, "Josh, is it good? Should I buy it? Is it worth it?" After telling them how great it is, I usually tell them that I called it back in January when I was walking out of the theater and said to my dad, "That's gonna win best picture pops." (He smartly agreed with his great prophet sonOK, so maybe not great, but a proved prophet by that statementhaha) Clint Eastwood directs and stars as Frankie Dunn, the spiritually lost and hard nosed boxing manager of many successful men. Hillary Swank, who won best actress for her portrayal of Maggie Fitzgerald, battles through poverty and a trashy family to finally get Dunn to manage and train her. Morgan Freeman also offers his much welcomed services as Eddie Dupris, which he also took home an Oscar for best supporting actor.
As Ron Howard did with Cinderella Man, Clint Eastwood brings a contender from the pits of a metaphorical hell in order to contend for the ultimate dreambecoming world champion in professional boxing. In a special twist, it is the women's division of boxing, instead of the over-used men's division. The boxing ring works as a sanctuary for the character's, keeping them from an outside world that seems to bring them nothing but bad news (I don't think Freeman's character leaves the gym once in the film).
"Baby" is a film filled with Eastwood's Dirty Harry attitude that is meant to cover up a sensitive heart and caring man. The interaction between the cynical trainer Frankie and hard working Maggie can be so comical that you sometimes forget you are watching a serious drama. The comic relief along with the tough decisions we must make in life play well in this most deserving winner of the Best Picture of the year for 2004.