Another fine hour for Eastwood

Rating: 9/10 (19 February 2005)

Clint Eastwood follows up last year's refined Mystic River, with Million Dollar Baby. The movie starts in a tired and kind of worn out boxing gym in a not too exclusive part of LA. Clint Eastwood's Frankie is the owner, a old and stubborn trainer for some boxers. His sidekick is Morgan Freeman's Eddie, he's the man that runs the gym, an old boxer himself that clean the floors, do some plumbing, give the boxers some words of wisdom when they are in need of it and so on. Into this gym trip's Hilary Swank's Maggie, energetic and determined to go as far as a title shot. What she also wants is Frankie to manage for her so she can get the proper training, but Frankie is made of the old school and that don't involves training girlies. But with her rock hard determination and maybe with some help from Eddie they can wear old Frankie down.
This movie was a satisfaction to watch from the beginning, the three lead actors are all at their peak. They have some really strong roles to work with here. Frankie has characteristics with roles we have seen Eastwood done before, he works every angle of it and it results in a well deserved Oscar nomination. Swank is also very good, thrust worthy in the hard-hitting boxing sequences and wonderful as the happy human being she is. Freeman's quiet but always observing retired boxer is another enjoyment to see, a supporting role and Freeman serves it with big chunks that go a long way.
With his 25th film as a director Clint Eastwood knows how to tell a story, he does it both sensitive and powerful. A moving film to carry with you. Million Dollar Baby has Oscar nominations in all the heavy categories, I hope it takes two or three statues with it home, it deserves it.