Very underwhelming

Rating: 4/10 (14 February 2005)

I saw this movie yesterday after seeing all the acclaim and boy, was I disappointed. There are many implausible plot lines, and frankly who needs another boxing movie about man/woman reaching glory by winning boxing matches. Many reviews stated that the boxing theme was minor but I didn't find that to be the case at all. After Rocky and Raging Bull, the turf has been covered. I thought that Eastwood eclipsed with Mystic River and this was a letdown, same with Hillary Swank who was more interesting in Boys Don't Cry. I never saw Los Angeles come off more like a rural hick town than in this film. There is this relationship with Eastwood and his daughter that is mystery estrangement and it is never resolved. The pacing was also very slow. This has to be the weakest of the Oscar contenders this year.