Clint Eastwood scores another point.

Rating: 9/10 (3 March 2005)

If an artist's job is to get you thinking, then Clint Eastwood is just hitting his prime. Following up on the fantastic Mystic River, comes another complicated and emotional story about redemption that also is kin to Unforgiven. Million Dollar Baby, like Mystic River, strips away almost all gloss and flash to tell the story of an old aged boxer teaching a middle aged woman to box. Both looking to make up for past mistakes, they embark on an ultimately tragic journey. In the end they gain and then lose what they sought. I love Clint's elegant, slow storytelling. The movie moves along without the use of quick cuts or a pulsing soundtrack which would be expected from a sports movie. The "lesson" that it is better to have failed then to never tried played out by seemingly perpetual losers should affect anyone. The possible controversy over the ending is simple minded and probably forwarded by those who have not seen the film. I agree with Bill Maher. When someone has had such a life as to be admired and now is rotting away, it is more wrong to keep them alive against their wishes with machines. Not everyone can or wants to become a Christopher Reeve when placed in the situation that he so bravely challenged. This is just my opinion. The performances are commendable as well. Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood have great chemistry playing some still very intimidating men, while Hilary Swank again brings a quiet dignity to a possibly flashy role. It is Oscars all around and while I think that Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind should have won best picture, I think this is a worthy movie that justly wins hearts and minds.