The most annoying type of movie

Rating: 4/10 (21 February 2005)

This film contains all the most infuriating elements of film-making. That's not to say it is a bad movie, but more a movie that elicits little genuine emotion. The little true feeling comes from the character of Maggie, as a pitiful, damaged human for whom you want salvation. Why she sees boxing as her way out is never really explained. Her family are stereotypical white trash who barely have two dimensions, let alone three. The German boxer is actually more thinly portrayed than Ivan Drago in Rocky IV and there is something genuinely disturbing about her portrayal. When frankie calls her a 'Kraut' you feel that is what Clint actually feels, and that he sees her nationality and stereotypical representation as actual character construction.
Morgan Freeman plays the same role he played in Unforgiven, although this is no bad thing. He is one of the few characters actually developed and one that the audience can relate to.
But the structure of the story is really rather disjointed. It feels like one or two plot lines were just tagged on and aren't ever really developed.
The lighting and composition of some of the shots are very impressive. Unfortunately the white and blacks of the images seem to have been carried over into the direction and story as well with no place for greys.
Overall a film that contains many good elements but that you just can't care about.