Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 12/15/04 Limited 01/21/05 Home Video 07/12/05 MPAA Rating Rated PG-13 for violence, some disturbing images, thematic material and language Running Time 2 hours 12 minutes Genre Drama/Sports Directed by Clint Eastwood Cast Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel, Mike Colter, Lucia Rijker, Brian F. O'Byrne, Anthony Mackie, Margo Martindale, Riki Lindhome, Michael Pena, Benito Martinez, Bruce MacVittie, David Powledge, Joe D'Angerio Studio Warner Bros Pictures |
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Director/actor Clint Eastwood packs a knockout
punch in this, his latest endeavor. Aspiring boxer,
Maggie Fitzgerald (Hillary Swank), seeks out trainer
Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood). Saving her tip money
from her waitressing job, she signs up at Dunn’s gym
for boxing training and an audience with Frankie. To
her chagrin, Frankie wants no part of training a
woman boxer, so she spends her time working out
with no benefit of direction from the aging pro. Raw
talent and rugged determination are her strong points.
As Frankie watches Maggie train, he eventually lends
a hand and gives a suggestion here and there.
Eventually, they evolve into a team. An interesting
relationship develops, and the two bond on and off of
the canvass. All the loose threads are tied, as the
backgrounds of both manager and boxer are
highlighted. They are a “match” made in heaven.
Morgan Freeman is Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris,
Frankie’s right hand man at the gym. His character is
pivotal to the plot, and he handles it well. A not too
syrupy, but kindly man is defined by director
Eastwood, and it fits the bill.
punch in this, his latest endeavor. Aspiring boxer,
Maggie Fitzgerald (Hillary Swank), seeks out trainer
Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood). Saving her tip money
from her waitressing job, she signs up at Dunn’s gym
for boxing training and an audience with Frankie. To
her chagrin, Frankie wants no part of training a
woman boxer, so she spends her time working out
with no benefit of direction from the aging pro. Raw
talent and rugged determination are her strong points.
As Frankie watches Maggie train, he eventually lends
a hand and gives a suggestion here and there.
Eventually, they evolve into a team. An interesting
relationship develops, and the two bond on and off of
the canvass. All the loose threads are tied, as the
backgrounds of both manager and boxer are
highlighted. They are a “match” made in heaven.
Morgan Freeman is Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris,
Frankie’s right hand man at the gym. His character is
pivotal to the plot, and he handles it well. A not too
syrupy, but kindly man is defined by director
Eastwood, and it fits the bill.
Brenda's comment
Hillary Swank’s performance is a knockout
in itself. Director Eastwood certainly knew
what he was doing when he put her on the
program. An exhausting movie, I felt as if I
had gone at least twelve rounds by the end
of the show. Nothing but praise for the
theme and its execution, from this corner.
Don't miss it.
Hillary Swank’s performance is a knockout
in itself. Director Eastwood certainly knew
what he was doing when he put her on the
program. An exhausting movie, I felt as if I
had gone at least twelve rounds by the end
of the show. Nothing but praise for the
theme and its execution, from this corner.
Don't miss it.
Mary's comments
All is there for the taking, a fine plot, great
casting, wonderful acting, and all of the
other amenities that make a movie great.
Well worth seeing, this pugilistic drama has
more to it than the average boxing movie.
Really about friendship and determination,
“Baby” wins the match.
All is there for the taking, a fine plot, great
casting, wonderful acting, and all of the
other amenities that make a movie great.
Well worth seeing, this pugilistic drama has
more to it than the average boxing movie.
Really about friendship and determination,
“Baby” wins the match.
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan |
DVD Details
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, Spanish,
French
Running Time: 2 hrs. 12 mins.
Number of Discs: 3
Features:
· Million Dollar Baby soundtrack
· James Lipton Takes on Three:
25-minute roundtable with Clint
Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan
Freeman and Moderator James
Lipton
· Born to Fight: Examines the
parallels of the movie to real-life
boxer Lucia Rijker
· Producers Round 15: Behind the
scenes
Awards
Winner of 4 Oscars at the 2005
Academy Awards:
· Best Picture
· Best Actress
Hilary Swank
· Best Supporting Actor
Morgan Freeman
· Best Director
Clint Eastwood
Winner of 2 Golden Globes at the
2005 Golden Globe Awards:
· Best Performance by an
Actress in a Motion Picture
(Drama)
Hilary Swank
· Best Director
Clint Eastwood
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, Spanish,
French
Running Time: 2 hrs. 12 mins.
Number of Discs: 3
Features:
· Million Dollar Baby soundtrack
· James Lipton Takes on Three:
25-minute roundtable with Clint
Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan
Freeman and Moderator James
Lipton
· Born to Fight: Examines the
parallels of the movie to real-life
boxer Lucia Rijker
· Producers Round 15: Behind the
scenes
Awards
Winner of 4 Oscars at the 2005
Academy Awards:
· Best Picture
· Best Actress
Hilary Swank
· Best Supporting Actor
Morgan Freeman
· Best Director
Clint Eastwood
Winner of 2 Golden Globes at the
2005 Golden Globe Awards:
· Best Performance by an
Actress in a Motion Picture
(Drama)
Hilary Swank
· Best Director
Clint Eastwood