Million Dollar Baby

Rating: 10/10 (19 April 2006)

The meaning of the title is more obvious in what is pretty much the "second half", and it might make you cry more than The Bridges of Madison County. Personally, I think Clint Eastwood deserved his Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Director much more than Unforgiven (even though that's great too), and it deserved Best Motion Picture of the Year as well. Basically Maggie Fitzgerald (Oscar and Golden Globe winning Hilary Swank) wants to become a professional female boxer, with the help of trainer and ex-manager Frankie Dunn (Eastwood, Oscar nominated for acting). Frank for a while refuses to train a girl, and only his sidekick Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris (Oscar winning, and Golden Globe nominated Morgan Freeman) sees a good opportunity, but eventually Frank agrees to teach her the basics, just till she gets a proper manager. However, when a manager does come along, Frank sees that she is not remembering the techniques, and stays with her throughout all her fights. She starts well and continues, knocking many out in the first round, till she is taught to leave a knockout longer. Eevntually she reaches the bigger stadiums, and a after one or two fights, she faces the Billie 'The Blue Bear' (Lucia Rijker), the most aggressive fighter known to Frank, and she is pretty hard to beat. The unexpected (first time you see it) moment though is when Maggie turns with Billie looking finished, and Billie throws a final blow and Maggie lands on the resting corner chair, cracking her neck and permanently damaging her spine. This is where the film gets really emotional, as Maggie, kept alive 24 hours a day by breathing apparatus, and Frank struggling to cope with the fact that he was a little responsible for getting her to the ring. After a little while, Maggie does the unthinkable and wants Frank to kill her to end her pain (euthanasia). He refuses, and to try and do it herself she bites her tongue (twice), and Frank eventually decides to carry out her wish. Swank and Freeman perform worthy Oscar winning performances, Eastwood is great acting and directing, it is just essential viewing for the boxing, acting and emotional power. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Editing and Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, and it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Original Score for Eastwood (!). Morgan Freeman was number 27, and Clint Eastwood number 18 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, he was also number 61 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons. Outstanding!