One in a Million

Rating: 10/10 (4 February 2005)

Director Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" is truly a moving and touching motion picture. Powerful. This power derives from amazing actors, an unflinching and uncompromising screenplay by Paul Haggis, and a master director at the zenith of his power. This is the best movie of the year, and Eastwood's finest work. His gift for simplicity and eloquence is absolutely stunning. In writing this comment and acknowledgment, there is apprehension that I may be missing the same respect and integrity that Eastwood has for his audience. The controversial attention given to the story line, which I will not dwell upon, is warranted-- I suppose. Ultimately, it is a matter of choice. And ultimately, regardless of the power of a movie, it is still a movie. That being said, Hilary Swank who inhabits the role of Maggie Fritzgerald, is my favorite all-time movie hero. Her Maggie has such an earnestness, a purity of heart, and spirit that are awe inspiring. Maggie goes after what she wants with everything she's got. Swank truly gives life and soul to Haggis's words and Eastwood's direction. Swank, aside from undergoing hard physical training to bring tough as nails Boxer Maggie to life, also tempers her with a genuine charm, especially when she breaks out a tiny smile that warms your heart. Swank deserves an Oscar for her performance.
Maggie is trailer trash, and she knows it. She has a fierce intelligence, and black and white sense. She sees being a professional boxer as her only way to make it. Thus, she saves all the money she makes as a waitress, so she can be trained by legendary cut man and trainer, Frankie Dunn (Eastwood). At first Frankie dismisses Maggie. Maggie is 31 years old, too old. It takes four years just to train a fighter, and she can't even hit a speed bag. Then Maggie tells him, if she can't make it as a boxer "...I may as well get a trailer home. Buy a deep fryer, and bag of Oreoes." That catches our attention much like Frankie's. He takes her on as his charge. Haggis's screenplay based on the stories by F.X. Poole has a stark and authentic quality and consistency that are admirable.
Morgan Freeman as Scraps Dupris is the conscience of "Million Dollar Baby", and also it's narrator-- the reason later revealed. Scraps works for Frankie in his Gym. Scraps was a contender years ago. Frankie blames himself for a fight in which Scraps lost the use of his eye. Scraps is the one who first brings Maggie to Frankie's attention. Freeman is a great actor, one never catches him acting. His performance is commanding in it's understated nature. There is a breathtaking scene in the diner, where Scraps tells Maggie how he lost his eye in the fight. He (Freeman) is just talking, and Maggie (Swank) is just listening-- really listening. This is stripped down Eastwood at his best.
Actor Clint Eastwood as trainer Frankie Dunn gives a compelling performance displaying such an ease, strength, and vulnerability. Eastwood is still evolving as an actor. His Frankie has an incomplete relationship with an unseen and estranged daughter. Thus, his relationship with Maggie makes sense. They fill in a missing in each other's life. Eastwood possesses this powerful silent presence, that few actors have. In a scene where Maggie is devastated when her Mom ( an effective Margo Martindale) rejects the house that Maggie bought for her, because this would cut off her Mom's welfare check, Eastwood stands silently outside the doorway. Nothing need be said. On the drive back, Maggie says quietly, "Frankie, you're all I've got." He replies "You've got me." The chemistry between Eastwood and Swank is magical, and what makes "Million Dollar Baby" so special and compelling.
The movie ends quietly, and is absolutely moving. And the audience is also silent. Eastwood's vision always has an authenticity about it. He always respects the intelligence of his audience, and our ability to make our own choices and judgments. I truly applaud all the effort and talent involved in making "Million Dollar Baby". I think Eastwood's movie captures all that is courageous, compassionate, and noble.