A Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (5 January 2007)

Masterpiece. That was the M word that Roger Ebert used to describe this superlative piece of cinema is his much lauded 2004 review. Whether or not you agree with his integrity as film critic, it remains an outstanding film. Since then, it went on to win the much deserved Academy Award for best picture and director in a time when the awards are losing much of their credibility.
Clint Eastwood has structured a film that plays straight to the heart. It is honest, simple and thoughtful film-making, The story is tremendously moving, beautiful to watch, and to be drawn into the world of long-lost, fallen, and overdue fighters.
Written by Paul Haggis, who achieved success with Crash in the following year, it tells the tale of Maggie (Swank) who intends to make it in the often misunderstood world of female boxing. She has come from the wrong side of the trailer park, with only one aspiration in life - to box. Eastwood has once again paired up with Freeman, last seen together in their successful outing in Unforgiven. Along with Swank, the 3 main principals all manage career best performances thanks to Haggis' strong script and Eastwood's perceptive direction.
Eastwood's Frankie Dunn is a conflicted man passed over by dreams, accomplishments and failures both personally and professionally. He seeks solace from God but in issues of boxing, he's a strict atheist. His daughter and apprentice-boxer have both abandoned him; he almost lost Eddie in a fight. Over prudently, he refuses to make the same mistake again. So he spends his days managing the rejects trying to box their way out of their miserable lives. He is played with such regret and loss by Eastwood which display the fragility of a man who achieved so much but at a great personal loss.
Eddie "Scrap" Dupris (Freeman with glass eye) narrates the film, serves as consciousness to Eastwood, and the observer in the gym and boxing ring to the viewer. His reputation as a former boxer as coached by Frankie is demonstrated through in gruff undertones, masked by a dogged, scar-faced demeanor. Freeman is a remainder of Frankie's bygone days, his success in the ring and as a painful memory of the ugly side of boxing. His life now amounts to nothing more at the gym than cleaning up the spit, beating up bullies and retiring to HBO in the gym where his dreams were almost realised.
Swank provides the turning point for the two men that ultimately brings them to desperate measures in the film's final act. She is for Frankie, the daughter he wishes he had; for Scrap, the opportunity to prove himself as a real fighter. With Frankie's coaching, she makes into the world of professional boxing, and more importantly, she has the opportunity to live her dream. Swank inhibits the role. As her own life story mirrors that of Maggie, she connects with her on all levels. She is defiant, rough, inspiring and raw. The challenges ahead of her are overwhelming in their adversity. But in her heartbreaking delivery, she knocks them out of the park.
The script by Haggis is heartfelt, honest and true. We smell the sweat and blood in a rawness that is both pungent and violent. Broken bones and bloody noses are part of road to victory. The paradoxical relationship between boxing an life is convincing and saddening.
The true star of the film is Eastwood's direction. He presents a story that is hopeful and inspiring but never panders to sentiment or pity. The gym is shot with the faded renaissance of the glory days; the boxing scenes are filmed with humour, energy and a sense of danger. The lighting is also quite amazing; giving us just what we require, allowing the viewer to formulate their own shapes. Sharp flashes of light and darkness suggest hope, mystery, danger, sadness and spirit.
Each turn of the story is a shot in the arm, a blow to the stomach. Things don't always go as planned but hopefully, we can experience a dream for just a few moments.A refreshing take on the rags-to-riches sporting story, it really transcends that genre. This film is about how we can achieve that dream worth fighting for, and go to all lengths to make it.A stunning film that shows us that even though there are many ways to tell a story; we can still be moved in such powerful ways.