Million Dollar Baby

Definitely a contender for awards across the board, this film’s makers are not the fighters I am betting on. Despite all the elements of excellence, I am bothered by the screenplay’s reliance on spoken narration (even in the mellifluous tones of Morgan Freeman) and gaping implausibilites in the storyline, though I acknowledge the argument that making it a tale told allows the mythic element to creep in. That said, Clint Eastwood has delivered a bold and thoughtful, as well as rousing and enjoyable, boxing film. Hilary Swank is the title character, all that and more, as the irrepressible and irresistible poor white trash waitress-turned-boxer, who finally enlists the reluctant Eastwood as her trainer, at the gentle prodding of his oldtime sidekick Freeman. The film calls up those tried-and-half-true Rocky emotions and then turns them on their head. I’ve never been a particular Eastwood fan, his worldview too punishingly grim for my taste (except when it was just the thing to cut the treacle of The Bridges of Madison County), but there’s no denying that he has latterly developed into a major director as well as a fearless actor. (2004, AMC Theater, n.) *7+* (MC-86, RT-92)