Directed by Clint Eastwood
Screenplay by Paul Haggis
Based on stories by F.X. Toole
Million Dollar Baby is not about boxing. It is an engaging film about relationships and responsibilities among characters whose lives intersect in the world of boxing. While it begins with familiar motifs from boxing films, the story veers off and becomes a serious drama about moral issues.
Clint plays Frankie Dunn, a cut man and boxing manager for many years. His great skills in the corner are evident in the opening moments of the film when he tells his man to take a punch, allowing the opponent’s punches to close up a wound that is bleeding badly.
Frankie’s hottest prospect, Big Willie Little, has been itching for a shot at the title but Frankie tells him he’ll “ be ready in two years,” which is what he told him two years ago. Frankie’s reluctance stems from the guilt he carries when he worked the corner for a boxer who took a title fight against the wishes of his manager and sustained career-ending injuries. Big Willie Little is getting older and can’t wait any longer, so he leaves Frankie for a manager who will get him title shot.
One day into Frankie’s gym comes Maggie Fitzgerald, played by Hillary Swank. She boxes because it is the only thing that brings her solace. She moved out to Los Angeles from Missouri, but the odds are stacked against her because she isn’t very good and is in her early 30’s, which is a late age to start. She works as a waitress and is so poor that she takes home customers’ leftovers to eat; yet she is driven to follow her dream. She wants Frankie to manage her and tells him that she is tough, but Frankie tells her, “Girlie, tough ain’t enough.” However, since she has paid six months in advance, he allows her stay at the gym because his financial situation isn’t much better.
.jpg?t=20130517094513)
Article comments
1 - Matt Paprocki
Billy was penalized a point, and given multiple warnings. I think it was her frsutration over NOT being the big draw, not having the spotlight as the champ, and taking some hard shots (going for the nerve) that sent her over the edge.
2 - claire
Saw the film and really liked it. I dont think it deserved most of its oscars though. Martin Scorsese should have gotten best film for The Aviator. Poor man has been overlooked in the past too many times with really wonderful films. The oscars are so political its impossible to give an award to a deserving party. I agree regarding the narration. For some reason it didn't sit well with me that MF did it. As much as I love Morgan Freeman I dint think he was right for the role either although i cant think of who else could!!!
Your review was fab Btw
3 - Online Movie Rental
I found the movie very powerful. I first thought Hillary Swank was a real boxer acting in this movie. Found out later she was 'just' an actor.
The twist after the title fight took me by complete suprise and i was completly thrown by the direction it went after that. I'm an extreme liberal, so i feel it is important that movies like this get made, and made this well.
Great work Clint!
4 - Bunny
Just saw Million Dollar Baby - good movie - not great. Sometimes couldn't understand what was being said. Morgan Freeman (as always) was great. The Aviator was a much better film and should have been best picture. I wouldn't sit through Million Dollar Baby again if they paid me (didn't even watch the special features).