Million Dollar Baby

While "Sideways" disappointed me somewhat last week, "Million Dollar Baby" certainly lived up to its billing as one of the best movies of the year.

Director Clint Eastwood also stars, playing the role of Frankie Dunn, a retired cut-man (the guy that fixes the boxer's cuts during a fight) who now runs a gym for potential boxing stars. Eastwood plays Dunn as a tough guy who has seen his share of trouble. That is, until Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) enters the scene. She longs to be a prize fighter and wants Frankie to be her coach. Dunn wants nothing to do with training a woman to box, and tries to convince Maggie that, at 31, she's too old. Maggie proves to be just as tough as Dunn though, never shying away from a fight, and not willing to take "no" for an answer.

Eventually, and reluctantly, he takes her under his wing. This is where Dunn, who's tough on the outside, is equally soft-hearted on the inside. Estranged from his own daughter, Frankie becomes a father-figure to Maggie, whose own family life is the epitome of white trash. Narrating the story, much like he does in "Shawshank Redemption", is Morgan Freeman as Eddie Dupris, assistant and voice of reason to Dunn.

The strength to "Baby" is in the relationships. Eastwood and Swank are perfect together in their roles, as are Eastwood and Freeman, whose buddy banter adds some necessary levity. The characters are less interesting individually, though Freeman and Swank will get my Oscar votes. Don't get me wrong, Eastwood is also outstanding, but compared to the other Lead Actor nominations, doesn't carry the movie in the way that Jamie Foxx embraces "Ray".

"Million Dollar Baby" is a moving story portrayed to sheer perfection by all involved. You don't need to be a fan of boxing to be knocked out by this one. See it soon! I give it an A.

"Million Dollar Baby" is rated PG-13 with a running time of 2 hours 17 minutes.