One of Hollywood's Best Ever Films!

Rating: Null/10 (8 March 2005)

Note: Actors names are used instead of their character's names in the film.
"Million Dollar Baby" (2004) Directed by: Clint Eastwood Starring:Hillary Swank, Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman
**** Excellent
"Million Dollar Baby" (2004) is that rare and daring film from Hollywood, when skilled direction, writing and acting come together in a surprisingly powerful manner. "MDB" is a small scale, low key, intimate film that packs honesty and raw, heart wrenching emotion.
Hillary Swank gives a powerful performance as a poor, single waitress from a rural background, who decides, against the odds, to become a boxer. Clint Eastwood portrays a former boxer, now trainer in his own gym. He reluctantly accepts Swank as her first trainer. Morgan Freeman portrays a retired boxer who almost won a title under Eastwood's training. He is now an assistant to Eastwood at the gym and is the one who notices Swank's determination and gives her a chance getting started with training at the gym. Both Eastwood and Freeman give strong performances to back up Swank's memorable acting performance.
Swank's character and transformation are convincing and believable, as she begins to find herself in life. Her toughness, stubbornness and determination help make her a winning boxer. From a troubled, broken family and a life of struggle, her new boxing career becomes a life renewed. During the several years of successful partnership as boxer and trainer, Eastwood gradually becomes a father figure to Swank.
Nothing, however, really prepares one for the sudden and unexpected change of events that occur about midway into the story and dramatically changes the mood of the film. By this time, we have strongly bonded emotionally with Swank's character, feeling empathy for her life situation and struggles. So this sudden shift in the story is all the more powerful and sets the stage for deeply intimate and heart wrenching emotions in the second half of the film, which ends in a surprising and poignant manner.
Unlike typical Hollywood films, "MDB" has honesty, sensitivity, believable, ordinary people and raw emotional power. "MDB" will leave you with lingering, heartfelt sorrow. An extraordinary film.