2008 Woodie Awards
Million Dollar Baby Rises Above Cliché
Isaac Shapiro
Issue date: 2/9/05 Section: Arts and Entertainment
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It is easy to see why Clint Eastwood is considered to be an icon, and Million Dollar Baby helps to further solidify that position as an immortal figure of film. Million Dollar Baby is easily the best film released in 2004.
Clint Eastwood plays Frankie Dunn, an elderly boxing coach, who runs his own gym with the help of his good friend Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris (Morgan Freeman), a retired heavy-weight boxer, who was trained by Frankie but now works as a janitor in the gym.
Both Frankie and Eddie have passed their prime, and they both seem set to peacefully fade off into obscurity. Both of them are startled by the appearance of Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), a southern girl from a trailer-trash background with dreams of becoming a champion boxer. At first Frankie refuses to train her, but Eddie begins to give her a few pointers and tips and works with Maggie to soften Frankie's cold disposition.
Eventually Frank agrees to train Maggie and helps her reach her dream. As the story progresses, Frankie and Maggie's relationship becomes something far deeper. Frankie has an estranged daughter to whom he writes everyday only to find his letters returned to sender. Maggie comes from an underachieving white-trash family that cares very little about her, except when she starts to make money as she climbs up the boxing ladder.
In Maggie, Frankie finds the daughter he lost and in Frankie, Maggie finds the family she never had. The movie goes beyond its preconceived conventions and achieves something far deeper in its simplicity.
At first glance, Million Dollar Baby may sound like a typical feel-good sports movie, but such a label does not do it justice. All three actors in the leading roles are at the top of their games. The relationship between Frankie and Maggie develops throughout the movie, which adds real weight to the second half, where the plot takes a surprise turn leading up to a bittersweet finale that is guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of even the most hardened cynic.
This is hands-down the most finely crafted film of the year. There is not one wasted line of dialogue; everything serves a purpose. Even Morgan Freeman's sometimes inaudible narration works to tie everything together in the end.
I would not be surprised if Million Dollar Baby dominates the Oscars. I would not be surprised if it wins best picture - it is just that good. I would be very surprised if anyone came back from seeing the film disappointed.
Million Dollar Baby is a movie lover's movie. It perfectly illustrates, when in the proper hands, how powerful and moving cinema can be. See it now if you can, and if you miss it when it is in theatres, then rent it as soon as possible.