Million Dollar Baby Hits the Jackpot

By Matt Wenner

At first, I was a little hesitant to see Million Dollar Baby. There was an awful lot hype surrounding this film; be it from the Golden Globes it’s won or the Oscars it’s nominated for. In addition, almost everyone I asked told me how great this film is. It would be hard for a film to meet these high expectations, but Million Dollar Baby was just about able to do it, but there were a few things that kept it from being a masterpiece.

Million Dollar Baby tells the story of a 31 year old woman named Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) who can only be described as trailer trash. She has one dream in life and that is to become a boxer. She starts going to boxing trainer Frankie Dunn’s (Clint Eastwood) gym, hoping that he will train her. Frankie is reluctant at first, but eventually decides to train her due to her dedication and a little encouragement from his friend and ex-boxer Eddie Dupris (Morgan Freeman). The film then follows the beginnings of Maggie’s professional career, until tragedy strikes at the end of the second act which dramatically shifts the tone and focus of the film (I will not go into the details of this tragedy as to keep it a surprise to those who haven’t seen it).

Million Dollar Baby could have been turned into a clichéd underdog sports movie in a less capable director’s hand, but Eastwood was able to make something more out of this film. Eastwood is able to establish the platonic love that forms between his character and Maggie’s which definitely heightens the emotion of the last part of the film. Also, the acting in this film is superb and definitely deserves the awards it has been getting. The only thing that didn’t work for me, and slightly holds this film back is a sub-plot about a semi-retarded boxer who works out at Frankie’s gym. It tried to be a bit of comic relief, but for me, all of these scenes fell flat.

Million Dollar Baby definitely is worthy of all the praise it has received. Eastwood was able to take a common underdog story and turn it into a great film. The tragedy at the end of the second act was very surprising. It completely changed the film, but it worked. Eastwood was able to establish his characters, so that the audience feels for them as they try to deal with this tragedy. The sub-plot keeps this film from being perfect, but it comes very close.

Rating: *** 1/2

Starring:
Clint Eastwood ………… Frankie Dunn
Hilary Swank …………… Maggie Fitzgerald
Morgan Freeman ……… Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris
Jay Baruchel ……………. Danger Barch
Brian O’Byrne …………. Father Horvak

Directed by: Clint Eastwood
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence, some disturbing images, thematic material and language.
Running time: 137 min
Released by: Warner Brothers 12.15.04(limited); 1.28.05(wide)