And that search for regard is what makes flirting with greatness this strong boxing drama.

Rating: 8/10 (22 September 2019)

That's the message from this movie. As Unforgiven was about guilt and regret, Million Dollar Baby zeroes in on the brutal, primal appeal of "The Sweet Science." Perhaps we've seen too many versions of poor men using the deadly sport as their only way to "be someone," as Brando put it in On the Waterfront. Give a woman that dream and you bring home the risk, and show why she's willing to take it.Respect, only a different type of love. And that search for regard is what makes flirting with greatness this strong boxing drama.