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Released a little over a year after the grand success of his Oscar-winning feature MYSTIC RIVER, Clint Eastwood returns to the director's chair for MILLION DOLLAR BABY. Eastwood also stars, in the role of Frankie Dunn, a down-on-his-luck former boxing manager who spends the twilight years of his life running a small, dilapidated gym in downtown Los Angeles. Frankie's previous career was blighted by an injury to one of his prize fighters, Scrap (Morgan Freeman), who lost the sight in his right eye during a particularly brutal bout; Scrap now wiles away the hours working as a cleaner in Frankie's gym. Wary of similar occurrences being inflicted on the prestigious young talent that passes before him, Frankie lets a succession of great boxers slip through his fingers. But when the brash, confident young boxer Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) strides into the gym, Frankie's life is irretrievably altered. Initially refusing to train Maggie due to her gender and age, Frankie relents when faced with her tenacity, spirit, and burning ambition. The combination of Maggie's talent and Frankie's tutelage paves the way for the adroit fighter to rise steadily through the ranks of women's boxing, with the unlikely coupling forming a genuinely touching bond in the process.Clint Eastwood has crafted a boxing film fit to stand alongside classics such as RAGING BULL and ROCKY with MILLION DOLLAR BABY. The scenes between Eastwood and Freeman are a delight to watch, with the two old hands pulling off masterfully understated performances as a couple of men teetering on the brink of failure. Likewise, Swank puts in a powerful turn as Maggie, further emphasizing her penchant for unusual roles, and perhaps even bettering her incredible, Oscar-winning showing as Teena Brandon in BOYS DON'T CRY.
Touching~Moving~Compelling~Leaves a Lasting Impression~
Story of a woman who had nothing but a life full of disapointments who aspires to be somebody inside the ring. Unlike most female boxing stories, I felt this was a believable tale, and I truly enjoyed this film. The story shows what enduring tenacity and courage can accomplish. While this is truly a bitter-sweet movie, and 2 boxes of tissues kind of tear-jerker, I highly reccomend this film; as it give a true reflection on the very meaning of life itself. Hilary Swank plays an excelent role as the waitress turned boxer, and self-directed Clint eastwood and co-star Morgan Freeman turn in steller performances as well. 5 stars *****
The Ballad of Maggie Fitzgerald" / A Fort Of Hard Knox
A Preview of Professional Boxing and The Magical Journey to Becoming a Star!
The wonder that Jerry Boyd's short stories offer!
F.X. Toole/Eastwood And now we have a Warner Bros.
The first step to mind as a goal... Build A Boxer!
Maggie Fitzgerald just drifts into the gym.
A Hard Copy
Follow the building of life skills as they incorporate into the boxing training fundamentals;
counter check the character for progress, and with that measure approach the environment of the goals.
The audience will see the extended workouts & extra efforts afforded,
more than enough to see just what it takes and more than plenty of ring action.
About this "Jerry Boyd Creation"
In My Opinion {as from his eyes , he has seen it all.}
A True Film About The Agony Of The Hard Knocks.
The writers here, Author Jerry Boyd and Screen Writer Paul Haggis, lead us to follow the guidance of a young woman to a sensible path to be the very greatest boxer she could be! While it would make sense that anyone would have an idea to become the greatest and win fortune and fame, what would it take?
What would then be considered for investment?
Number One, I'ld Have To Say Was Giving This Film More Physical Boxing Action than most boxing films I have ever seen. Yet still, this is not just about boxing!
An amazing unique history and historic journey from the original of Jerry Boyd's, to this adaptation for "Million Dollar Baby".
All in all the high results have probably exceeded everyone's imagination ;
what we do have now is one to call "One of its own Kind".
This is likened to the truth in real life, as written by Jerry Boyd, the veteran Los Angeles boxing trainer and ringside "cut man" under the pen name F.X. Toole.
At age 70 he became the author most noted for writing the collection of short stories "Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner" which was turned into this film. Juli Crockett he had met later and was convinced that she was the incarnation of his main character into real life!.
He battled 40 years to get his stories published. A bigger disappointment is that he didn't live to see this film.
As we witness from film, can we derive that this is "Genius Born Out Of Desperation" as a story? Or a creation from an expert, with the envisioned concept that "traditional hard work can make good"; the simple question~"can your will can get you to great"?
{My Positive Comments}
I'm Calling This Million Dollar Baby a Strategy Of need!
The situation here swirls around some very complex ingredients that are exposed yet not easily perceived.
Under the direction of Clint Eastwood we begin a mesmerizing transition into the boxing ring. Eastwood gives us what I call {The Viewers Share}, as a very unique view of this boxer`s corner and an very reactive participation as an audiance member!
Morgan Freeman as "Eddie"("Scrap Iron") Dupris, Actor/Narrator. Eddie is Maggie's Best Allie. He goes way back with Frankie Dunn as his cut man. Frankie(played by Eastwood) does he just fade away?
Best leave this up to Freeman's narration because there's just to much here for any of us to index.
"Mo Cuishle" drawn to its current nature, it is "In truth as this tale tells".
Oh Maggie! The name Pronounced Muh `Kwish-La, her moniker given by her manager and sewn onto her emerald colored robe!
Chambered sound design with Kodak cinematography best award.
Is This Creative Writing at Its Best?
I think so!
A must see for good films, YET...
...So tuff, that I'd screen my own friends!Read full review
Million Dollar Baby is a huge success. Well done Mr. Eastwood.
Million Dollar Baby is another Clint Eastwood creation that is smart,gritty,profound, and sometimes too realistic. The acting was smooth and Hilary Swank in the title role was very convincing. The acting was nice with a good plot and Clint brought his familiar style to the screen. Having actor, Morgan Freeman was a great touch that made this more of a family based movie than a "sports " movie for me. Give it a chance and I am sure that you may enjoy it also.
Riveting Movie. Great Acting. Watch Million Dollar Baby
Riveting movie that deserves all of the praise and accolades it earned. Few movies are as complete, as well designed and written; and few movies are as well acted. Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman combine for an incredible performance. That's the true beauty of "Million Dollar Baby" - rather than rely on big budget explosions and graphics, it is driven by acting, by story and by emotion.
Most importantly, the film is real. The acting is so fine that it comes across naturally and the audience cant help but become emotional. Furthermore, the realism extends to the boxing and fighting sequences - rather than a Rock IV / Drago vs. Rocky fight, the sequences are superbly designed and even performed by actual boxers and prize fighters.
The movie moves in many directions - but all naturally. With worse writing or acting, the direction might feel forced; but Eastwood makes sure that everything progresses smoothly and intelligently. There is much more to say - but I would prefer to keep from spoiling the plot.
What I will say though is that there are perhaps more enjoyable films - ones you watch mindlessly and enjoy for various reasons... but there are few films that are complete or more satisfying. And there were no such films during 2004.Read full review