Well Made but Hardly Worth Best Picture.

Rating: 7/10 (19 March 2016)

Million Dollar Baby (2004): Dir: Clint Eastwood / Cast: Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel, Mike Colter: Disturbing film about chance and risks featuring Clint Eastwood as a boxing trainer who reluctantly trains a female. It isn't so much about boxing as it is about the emotional wounds they fight against. Questionable conclusion where a decision draws to hopeless speculations. Director Eastwood does a splendid job weaving the lifestyles and personal struggles using the sport as a backdrop. He often makes films regarding one's striving for achievement and the cost for such. His previous credits include Absolute Power and Play Misty for Me. Hilary Swank is fantastic as a waitress whose welfare drawn family discourage her. This is her greatest performance since Boys Don't Cry and she is a straight fighter all the way. Eastwood is always able to capitalize on familiarity by allowing viewers a glimpse into the character's mental sense of being. Morgan Freeman plays a former boxer who works for Eastwood in the gym. He narrates the film as an address to someone else. Other characters are either corny or annoying at best, particularly the meddling greedy family pretending to care. Well crafted film that will disturb some while compelling others. The sport of boxing is a metaphor for fighting to forgive ourselves for the past. Score: 7 ½ / 10