Million Dollar Baby

In his day, Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) was the best “cut man” in the business, working magic to give his battered fighters one more round. Now he passes his time as the manager of the Hit Pit, a dank, sweat soaked gym. Frankie’s daily regime takes it on the chin when Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) skulks into the gym. Equal parts raw talent and unwaivering determination, she’s looking for someone to train her, and despite Frankie’s repeated rebuffs, she remains a fixture in the gym that he can’t avoid.
After seeing the trailer for this film many viewers will likely be left with the impression that “Million Dollar Baby” is another sports film where the underdog triumphs against all odds. Even if was as simple as that, you could rest assured that given the cast’s pedigree it would be a good film. Indeed the training and fight sequences are both inspirational and enthralling, but what sets this film apart is what happens when the gloves are off.

The relationship between Maggie and Frank is initially tepid at best, but eventually he can’t help being won over by her enthusiasm. As a director, Eastwood is exacting with the pacing, drawing the characters out slowly. This ensures a natural evolution and allows us to accept the transformation of their relationship from a fighter/trainer to familial. These insights in turn provide the film’s most powerful and poignant moments.

Suffice it to say, it offers something for every cinephile: superb direction, a brilliant script, a haunting score, and outstanding performances by a standout cast. In short, it’s wonderful.