Million Dollar Baby (2004) PG - 4½ Stars

I put off seeing this movie as I was not into looking at another boxing flick. A chick boxing no less. However, I am glad I rented it as it has a great story line and done nicely and not what I expected at all. A very close to a 5 rating from me.

Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) wants to be a boxer. When she shows up at the gym asking for a trainer, most of the men laugh at her. Including Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood), a former boxing trainer and owner of the gym. When Maggie asks him to train her, he laughs. First of all she's a girl and second shes too old, at age 31, and he could come up with a hundred other reasons why she should stay out of the ring.

But Maggie is head strong and determined and even though Frankie doesn't want a girl in his gym, Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris (Morgan Freeman), a former fighter that Frankie trained, sees that drive in her eyes and allows her to practice when the boss is not around. Eddie gives her some pointers and when Frankie finds out she refuses to leave, he finally gives her some pointers.

As Maggie gets better, Frankie's confidence in her grows and together they prepare for their first fight. His golden rule above all, always protect yourself. But nothing will prepare them for their next fight as they learn both of them fill a void in each other. The movie won many awards including:

Awards are numerous and include:

2004 - Million Dollar Baby - Academy - Best Actress
2004 - Million Dollar Baby - American Film Institute - Best Picture
2004 - Million Dollar Baby - Boston Society of Film Critics - Best Actress
2004 - Million Dollar Baby - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Actress
2004 - Million Dollar Baby - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Director

Warner Bros Pictures
Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: Paul Haggis
Producers: Paul Haggis, Albert S. Ruddy, Clint Eastwood

I viewed 2/07