The world of female boxing in all its glory

Rating: 10/10 (17 January 2005)

This is the tale of a white trailer trash female boxer. She starts getting professional training from "the best cut man" in the business late on in life, but proves to be a natural and has a knockout punch. She gets her chance at a title shot but is crippled by an after the bell punch, by the reigning champ and is paralysed. She loses a leg and then asks her trainer to end her life.
This is boxing as it is at the grass roots. There is strong characterisation throughout and we get to know the three leads very well.
Swank, Eastwood and Freeman are outstanding. This is going to be a film that walks away with awards and deservedly so. This is based on a story by someone who was involved in boxing and this background knowledge shows through. The story is told in a very real way and all of the characters come across with all their faults.