Million
Dollar Baby is an exceptional piece of movie making from the veteran Hollywood
icon Clint Eastwood. I wasn’t sure what to expect from it, as the picture
sort of came out of nowhere, generating huge buzz wherever it played. I feared
that perhaps the movie wouldn’t live up to the hype, but I was quite wrong.
And in fact, the numerous Oscar nominations Million Dollar Baby has earned are
more than justified, and in many ways, it’s even more powerful than last
year’s Oscar nominated Mystic River.
In
Million Dollar Baby, Clint Eastwood plays loner boxing trainer Frankie Dunn, an
aging ringmaster with a knack for passing along fighting expertise. When his latest
protégé parts ways so that he might have a shot at the title with
another management team, Frankie struggles with the loss. That is until his services
are aggressively sought by young boxer Maggie Fitzgerald, a woman with enough
fiery spirit and tenacity to compromise one of Frankie’s most iron-clad rules
of the ring - no training girls. Before long, a powerful bond develops between
Frankie and Maggie, and, along with the help of Frankie’s long time assistant
and one time boxer Eddie Scrap (Morgan Freeman), things begin to click and Maggie
is on a roll.
Clint
Eastwood is very simplistic with his approach here. On the surface, Million Dollar
Baby is the quintessential sports underdog movie. As familiar as the proceedings
are, the film is always incredibly rousing, even when you may think you know exactly
where it’s heading. What sets this picture apart from the likes of Rocky
and Hoosiers though, is the direction it takes. Many critics have revealed the
unexpected detour that Million Dollar Baby takes in it’s final act. Some
(mostly with their own political agendas) have even gone so far as to ruin the
end of the movie because they disapprove. I’m not about to spoil anything
in this review. I will say, that at it’s heart, Million Dollar Baby is more
about relationships than boxing. And while simplistic, there is a fundamental
complexity to it that ultimately makes this movie soar.
Eastwood’s
direction is impeccable. Even though cinema has seen it’s fair share of rousing
boxing pictures before, Million Dollar Baby is so well crafted that it works with
the best of them. As expected, the man with no name gives us three dimensional
characters. These are real people with real problems and this makes the incredibly
dynamic boxing elements of the picture seem more relevant. Frankie and Maggie
have both had tough trials in there own lives – trials that bring them closer
together. And where Eastwood ultimately takes the film (based on a series of stories
by F.X. Toole) will most certainly have people talking.
Eastwood
the actor is even more impressive than Eastwood the director. Yes, we’ve
seen him play the sort of quiet loner before, but not like this. There’s
a richness and depth to his Frankie that isn’t really completely revealed
until the end of the picture. Emotionally, Eastwood delivers in a way we haven’t
seen before. He is a tremendous presence in every conceivable way, and I feel
completely safe in proclaiming this the strongest performance of the superstar’s
career.
Hilary
Swank is sensational as the determined Maggie. This is a physically demanding
role, but it’s also an emotionally charged one, and Swank succeeds with flying
colors in what is easily her best work since Boys Don’t Cry. And what really
takes the movie to the highest possible level, is the rapport that builds between
Eastwood and Swank. It’s a beautiful thing to behold. They become the strongest
of friends, and by the end of the movie, they develop what could be best described
as a father/daughter relationship.
Oh–did
I mention that Morgan Freeman is in this picture as well? He is, and as usual,
he’s completely solid. Yes, we’ve seen him play similar such roles in
movies like Shawshank Redemption, but who cares - he’s an absolute natural.
A true pro.
There
were elements of Million Dollar Baby that I had a hard time buying into. There’s
a subplot involving a mentally challenged boxer who trains at Frankie’s gym.
The fate that awaits him is a little harsh, but I suppose his exchange with Eddie
shortly thereafter is the real reason for the scene’s inclusion. As I watched
this picture, I did have certain reservations about the film’s ending. It’s
courageous to be sure, but the bold statement Eastwood makes, almost seemed to
belong in a different movie. Upon reflection, however, it is clear that a tough
decision made during the climax of Million Dollar Baby, is a true testament to
the kind of man Frankie is. It also makes the bond between he and Maggie feel
all the more genuine.
Pound
for pound, Million Dollar Baby is an emotional powerhouse. Now in his 70's, Eastwood
is really hitting his stride. He just continues to get better as an actor and
director. It’s clear that he knows how to create the proper environment for
his crew to work in. As a result, his latest effort is a million dollar knock
out.
