it's not about boxing...

Rating: Null/10 (11 March 2005)

this movie uses boxing as a vehicle to address our human-ness, love, hurt, guilt, decisions, desires. the boxing scenes were great. i'm not a boxing fan, but i felt her drive and her passion. Swank is completely believable as a boxer and deserving of her Oscar. Eastwood's direction is engaging, the pacing of the movie was just right. The cinematography, camera movement and Eastwood's choice of lighting and sound (or lack of) was right for the movie's subject matter and tone. the silence in the film carries with it a lot of meaning and creates a space where the viewer can pull back from the movie for a second to reflect on the character's feelings and thoughts which gives the movie a lot of depth. Definitely a must-see... definitely Oscar worthy.