Overrated and over hyped, typical of Hollywood

Rating: 6/10 (16 March 2005)

I heard so much hype about this movie with the Oscar and all I decided to see it against my better judgment about Hollywood's history of awarding bad movies top awards. Unfortunately, the movie, while entertaining and fairly acted, failed to impress me, not to mention live up to its hype. I continue to be puzzled by Hollywood's award giving standards.
The story is very typical and too simple. Hilary Swank is a highly motivated woman from a very trashy family with a very unlikely dream of becoming a female boxing champion. She seeks the help of a very skeptical trainer Frankie (Eastwood) who eventually believes in her and trains her. Of course she did not disappoint him and quickly rose to the top (way too quickly) to face the evil German boxer. They unnecessarily over demonized Swank's family and the German boxer, a cheap way to glorify and gain sympathy for the main characters. I never understood why Swank's character has such an unrealistic passion for boxing (very rare for a woman). The movie never really explored her motive other than the fact that her family was quite mean. The movie, while well directed, never developed into a true boxing story. It was like they were trying to remake Rocky, the female version of it, but failed to bring the realism and emotions of Rocky. I never really understood the point behind that movie. May be someone or some people are attempting to promote female boxing. Swank is a fine actress and she did a good job portraying a boxer despite her soft and feminine quality. Eastwood did not fit the part of a boxing trainer who is a loner with an odd relationship with Freeman that included a mixture of guilt and regrets. He was acting more like a cop than a true boxing trainer. Freeman's character, a very wise and calm washed out boxer, was typical of every Freeman role I've seen. I think his in good company with Eastwood, they both lack acting versatility. They are only good for one role. The movie never really took off and it almost ended as it started, except with fewer characters.