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FILM DETAILS

Certificate 12A

Cast Clint Eastwood Morgan Freeman Hilary Swank Morgan Freeman.

Directors Clint Eastwood.

Screenwriters Paul Haggis.

Running Time 132 minutes

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Million Dollar Baby
Risk vs reward vs redemption in Eastwood's latest, set in the world of female boxing.

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Plot
Gym owner Frankie Dunn (Eastwood) is a rotten Catholic and an over-cautious boxing manager who's never enjoyed a title shot. Maggie Fitzgerald (Swank) is an untrained 31-year-old of pure white-trash stock. They have nothing in common, but if one-eyed ex-p

Review
Without so much as a decent shower break following Mystic River's victory lap, Clint Eastwood rejoins the awards fray touting another heavyweight contender. Were it simply a thumping two in a swift one-two, Million Dollar Baby would be impressive enough, but as a rueful rumination on sin and absolution, Eastwood's new Baby boldly measures up against the director's undisputed champion: Unforgiven.

Put together on the fly, with little pedigree to speak of, Million Dollar Baby is the movie equivalent of a no-hoper handed a title bout. The source material is a short story from a debut collection by 69 year-old fight insider F. X. Toole. The adaptation is the first produced screenplay by Paul Haggis, a decorated TV writer best known for creating offbeat Mountie comedy Due South. And Eastwood himself stepped in at short notice, moving his Mystic River crew onto the project with virtually no prep time.

In what is essentially an odd-couple drama charting the well-worn contours of seasoned trainer and spunky protege, Morgan Freeman's salty sidekick is elevated to a third leading part principally to provide a semblance of narrative control. His intermittent voiceover, meanwhile, dispenses homilies that might make Shawshank's Red blush. However, Eastwood employs the space cleared by Dupris to explore character in ways that standard Hollywood-movie time simply would not countenance. And Million Dollar Baby's dancing is not entirely in vain. All the bobbing and weaving is clearly intended to put the audience off-balance, blinding seasoned pros to the sucker punch that Eastwood has been cocking all along. Even if you do see it coming - and it's best not to look - Baby's final blow should still floor you, a shot to the gut that will wring tears from the toughest guy in the gym.

With the easy confidence only a true vet can possess, Eastwood tells his story at his own unhurried pace, in his own unadorned style. Ably supported by his usual backroom staff, notably DoP Tom Stern, Eastwood's striking framing has the muscular simplicity and directness of Ernest Hemingway's prose; the twist in this tale is that the embodiment of American manliness is a girl from hillbilly country.

Verdict
This unusual, unassuming and unheralded drama may never enjoy the reputation of Unforgiven or do Mystic River-sized business, but it comfortably competes in the same division. Baby's easy manner may wrongfoot many, but be warned: to steal from Ali, this one floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.


Reviewed by Colin Kennedy

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Average user rating for Million Dollar Baby

The last half-hour is more than a little downbeat, but Million Dollar Baby makes up for any short comings with its honest characterizations and mighty fine performances from its three leads. ... More

Posted by movienut707 at 23:59, 24 January 2013 | Report This Post

milliondollarbaby

Better than any of the rocky films ! lol ... More

Posted by antosh25 at 04:44, 05 December 2011 | Report This Post

Clint redeems himself for the disappointment that was Unforgiven in a drama about, ultimately, perserverence. Swank and usual wise owl Freeman give career-best performances. ... More

Posted by cinerator at 00:53, 10 March 2009 | Report This Post

Clint redeems himself for the disappointment that was Unforgiven in a drama about, ultimately, perserverence. Swank and usual wise owl Freeman give career-best performances. ... More

Posted by cinerator at 00:53, 10 March 2009 | Report This Post

Million Dollar Baby

Great film, brilliantly made. Probably Clint's best performance. Gutted he didn't get the oscar for this one. ... More

Posted by jncorbett at 21:13, 20 February 2009 | Report This Post

SUPERB FILMMAKING FROM MR. EASTWOOD AND ACTING FROM HILARY SWANK ... More

Posted by WiseGuy101 at 04:34, 05 February 2009 | Report This Post

Sad but perfect. Brilliant. A must-see. Very remarkable.

Great Movie. ... More

Posted by nc_jj at 05:50, 25 July 2008 | Report This Post

what a brilliant film, the directing in it is perfect, all the actors are also perfect. this was a brilliant, moving film, you must see it!!! ... More

Posted by casino at 21:47, 13 February 2007 | Report This Post

Superb

Only watched this last night. Never did fancy it, but just like all the best movies - its the least unexpected which satisfy most. For me this is Eastwoods best film, shot beautifully and acted most subtley. The warmth that slowly grows between the three leads in genuine and tangible. A lot has been said about Swank's performance (which was spot on), but I personally found Eastwood's performance to be the highlight in terms of acting. He's always been a quiet actor, and this role suits his... More

Posted by TheGreatEye at 18:29, 04 September 2006 | Report This Post

Good BUT NOT WORTHY OF AN OSCAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would expect alot more from a film that won best picture, and a director who9 is apparently one of the best in the world. Without this movie being based on a true story I can't connect with it emotionally. And Clint Eastwood not doing so well with acting, I WONDER how this beat Finding Neverland and Sideways. My favourite part is seeing Morgan Freeman kick some arse! But it is yet the same character for him (the wise black guy). The script seems pretty shitty and the parts that are suppose... More

Posted by monkeyhumour at 14:42, 26 March 2006 | Report This Post

Overrated drama

Eastwood yet again whispers his performance with a face like a crusty dumpling and Hilary Swank proves why she is the most overrated actress working in Holywood today. Clin't direction is fine, but the film plods from one crisis to another without stoping to take a beather. Not so much a tear-jerker, more like a depressing badly made TV movie... ... More

Posted by Kazant71 at 00:28, 02 February 2006 | Report This Post

I put off seeing this film because basically i was expecting Rocky with a woman but i was wrong. Million Dollar Baby is excellent in every way and Hilary Swanks performance is flawless. She brings so much emotion to her character and with excellent direction from Eastwood this ends up being one of the best films I have seen. The heart wrenching ending had me close to tears. I recommend this film to anyone and if your expecting a film just about boxing prepare to be surprised ... More

Posted by Daimo at 12:55, 18 January 2006 | Report This Post

I put off seeing this film because basically i was expecting Rocky with a woman but i was wrong. Million Dollar Baby is excellent in every way and Hilary Swanks performance is flawless. She brings so much emotion to her character and with excellent direction from Eastwood this ends up being one of the best films I have seen. The unexpected ending had me close to tears. I recommend this film to anyone and if your expecting a film just about boxing prepare to be surprised ... More

Posted by Daimo at 12:52, 18 January 2006 | Report This Post

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