Thirty something female boxer seeks trainer who will take her to the top

Rating: Null/10 (18 July 2005)

Clint Eastwood's character is likable in this movie and Hilary Swank makes you fall in love with her character. But in my mind the real star of the movie is Jay Baruchel (who's character) was almost a story within a story. I am a big fan of Clint Eastwood's and love a lot of his movies that he's acted in. However it seems that the movies he directs are always very dark and un-redemptive. Unforgiven was also dark, but it had the backdrop of the old west and somehow that's more palatable to me. There are many things that are hard to swallow in this movie when you think them over. But I think the main thing that disagreed with me is how the movie starts out so inspiring and then takes a dark turn. With an outcome that is unnecessary. It seems to me that a true fighter would always want to fight. I will not give away the ending. I do believe it is a mistake to compare this movie to Shawshank Redemption like some critics have. Morgan Freeman's character was way more dry and melodramatic in this movie.