Captivating Story and amazing handling of characters and issues

Rating: 9/10 (5 April 2005)

Plot Outline: Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) a veteran boxing trainer runs a dilapidated gym along with friend Scrap (Morgan Freeman), an ex-boxer who lost his eye fighting. Personally Frankie has suffered estrangement from his daughter, and feigns atheism but has been attending mass for the past 23 years.
Then Maggie Fitzgerald (Hillary Swank), a struggler requests Frankie to train her. Tired after years and with innate fear of seeing someone fatally injured, Frankie shrugs off Maggie. He tells her that she's too old and he doesn't train girls. But Maggie's determination makes Frankie agree, although grudgingly.The two come to discover a common bond that they share and loss of their families long ago.
Comment: The screenplay based upon stories from "Rope Burns" by FX Toole. The story packs two years of their lives into two hours showing the surrogate father-daughter relationship and personal/professional challenges they undergo.Direction and Acting are simply amazing (4 Oscars prove it). The characterization, plot and handling of touchy issues like euthanasia are neat. This is one movie that reiterates that Hollywood is the mecca for Movies and Superstars!
Rating: 4.5/5  Highly recommended.