I usually don't enjoy sad movies. . .

Rating: 10/10 (24 March 2005)

I like to think that I'm not particularly fast to choose a film for the "best film"/ "favorite film" title. However, I woke up this morning after seeing the film and remembered watching it last night. The movie stuck in my head for some reason, and it may be the best I've ever seen.
The best thing going for it is the power of Morgan Freeman's voice as a narrator. I truly enjoyed Shawshank Redemption, and this film went further to show the power of his voice.
However, the true strength in the film is the run-of-the mill young boxer/ old weary trainer bit, but pushed to the next level. The film goes beyond boxing itself, to a much more human and realistic perspective.
The movie doesn't try to develop ALL characters, but concentrates well on just three. The events that occur within the characters' past and present mold them and pull the viewer into the trenches with them.