A Knockout for Clint

Rating: 9/10 (6 November 2005)

Forty years ago, Clint Eastwood was immersed in a trio of spaghetti westerns. Fifteen years later he was playing second banana to an orangutan named Clyde. Somewhere between the 1970s and turning 70, Mr. Eastwood became one hell of a director. Unforgiven landed him multiple Oscars, while Mystic River brought him some of the best reviews of his film-making career. The recent release of Million Dollar Baby has given even his most ardent doubters pause, displaying his continuously expanding talents before and behind the camera.
Frankie Dunn (Eastwood) is an aging boxing trainer whose modest gym acts as a second home to a ragtag crew of wannabes and runaways. His one genuinely gifted fighter leaves him shortly before hitting it big, citing Dunn's over-protective nature as the reason for his departure. Dunn's fears reach an all-time high when he finally agrees to train newcomer Maggie (Hilary Swank), despite an aversion to coaching women. Her persistence and stubbornness eventually wear him down. As expected, she proves herself a natural, overcoming every opponent in her path.
Swank's performance as the loyal, scrappy underdog cements her status as one of the great actresses of her generation. Eastwood's surprisingly emotional performance is a far cry from the one-dimensional, deadpan delivery he made chic decades ago. The story itself unfolds in unexpected ways, but its simple honesty is what truly sets it apart from many of today's flashier, self-important films. A few missteps aside, this is easily one of 2004's best efforts. Don't miss it.
Rating: A-