Age & Craft, Both in Character and Creator

Rating: 9/10 (20 December 2004)

Mr. Eastwood has taken American cinema, both behind and in front of the camera, to places it could not have achieved on its own. From 'Play Misty for Me', to last year's triumph 'Mystic River', his contribution to quality simple tradecraft storytelling is of invaluable measure.
As Frankie, a could have been/should have been trainer, Mr. Eastwood reminds you with startling moments that he began an actor. At a moment when you know anyone, someone, would cry, that the character Frankie would cry, you start to ask yourself 'Is Clint really going to take us there?' He does. And back again.
Now to have his skillful storytelling and performance partnered with Morgan Freeman and Hillary Swank, is a treat for all. If you began to think that Ms. Swank had lost her verve, or that painful ability to swagger in an out of strength and pathos, then it will certainly be revived by this performance.
The story takes a direction you do not expect. Many a director, particularly American directors, would take thirteen minutes to peak and close out this twist of tale so as to end the film within a perfect three-act structure. But not Mr. Eastwood.
I was reminded of 'The Iceman Cometh' or 'Nights of Cabiria' in that the film plays itself in three equally paced, toned, acts. But never when watching are you aware of this. The transition between banter and voice over and underdog and glory and pain and mystery are kept in check by a lucid austerity of a director who knows what he is looking at. A director who knows how to tell a story.
This is a painfully dull year in film. Ray is a showboat actor's piece. Sideways drags over familiarly executed material a la Alexander Payne. The Aviator; Scorcese is a talented man. Why does he keep after the semi-epic historically significant holiday release material? And where are the female performances for the year? But this is another discussion.
Film? Picture? Director? The best of all categories for this year can be found inside 'Million Dollar Baby'. Morgan Freeman may be due, but will likely not take anything home. Swank, who can say. But I do know, statuette or not, this film is the best place I've gone in cinema this year.