Riveting movie that deserves all of the praise and accolades it earned. Few movies are as complete, as well designed and written; and few movies are as well acted. Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman combine for an incredible performance. That's the true beauty of "Million Dollar Baby" - rather than rely on big budget explosions and graphics, it is driven by acting, by story and by emotion.
Most importantly, the film is real. The acting is so fine that it comes across naturally and the audience cant help but become emotional. Furthermore, the realism extends to the boxing and fighting sequences - rather than a Rock IV / Drago vs. Rocky fight, the sequences are superbly designed and even performed by actual boxers and prize fighters.
The movie moves in many directions - but all naturally. With worse writing or acting, the direction might feel forced; but Eastwood makes sure that everything progresses smoothly and intelligently. There is much more to say - but I would prefer to keep from spoiling the plot.
What I will say though is that there are perhaps more enjoyable films - ones you watch mindlessly and enjoy for various reasons... but there are few films that are complete or more satisfying. And there were no such films during 2004.
This is another one of my favorite movies and I haven't received a movie off ebay yet that was marred. My daughter is considering becoming a boxer too so this movie is very interesting to my whole family.
Hillary Swank is Fabulous in the role of a young woman with a passion and everything she goes through to realize her dream with many, many things stacked against her. The story put me through a multitude of emotions up to and including the ultimate heartbeak which was in some ways, her final victory. I'll watch this movie again and again & recommend it to everyone who inquires.
Most likely Clint Eastwood lifted the title for his over-rated, shamelessly mawkish film from the popular song, inspired by the late lamented five and dime Woolworth stores. Just for a bit more background the 1931 vintage tune was entitled "I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five and Ten Cent Store)," with Lyrics: by Mort Dixon and Billy Rose, Music: by Harry Warren.
Well, with that said, as far as the movie is concerned, here goes. The story started out far too slowly, the tour and accompanying fight scenes were not developed sufficiently and therefore did not prove effective in their ultimate purpose. In other words the sporadic and disjointed "career" she had did not make me believe that this character truly achieved anything meaningful in her life.
Her family was comprised of rank amateur actors who gave caricature performances, as did the "retarded" delusional gym-fighter hopeful. Moreover, instead of eliciting sympathy, the characters and situations meant to do so left me completely cold. When I wish to feel heartbroken and inconsolable about the plight of a fellow human being I'll buy a box of Kleenex and watch that compassionate and utterly amazing study in abject misery "The Elephant Man."
I rate this movie below average rather than poor because Hilary Swank's performance was well crafted even if the script was not. After all is said and done I had no interest in viewing the special feature disc that came with the movie...
I ENJOYED THIS TAPE, BUT WISH I HAD A BOX OF TISSUES AVAILABLE WHILE WATCHING THE MOVIE. SELLER WRAPPED AND SHIPPED RIGHT AWAY, i AM VERY HAPPY WITH THIS SELLER AND I WOULD PURCHASED FROM THEM AGAIN THANK YOU
Love this movie and now I have it to add to my collection...Half.com is a super place to buy...I also seel there..so simple to find what you want,usually at a great price too!
I, as a general rule, do not enjoy movies about boxing or similar sports. However, this movie alone changed my way of thinking.
The acting in this movie was superb. While watching, you truly became a part of what was happening and felt what they were feeling. From anger to frustration to sadness and ultimate heartbreak, viewers can feel. And all the while you feel pride tied in with anger for the wrongdoings that lead to the finale.
Although a sports movie, this is not a manly man movie. It is suited for men and women alike. It'll be the rare person who doesn't enjoy this movie!
I loved this movie and the ending really got to me because it was not what I expected. Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman are two of my favorite actors and now I have seen Hillary Swank in a lot of movies, some good, some bad but I always liked her and she deserved the Academy Award hands down for her part in Million Dollar Baby. I would tell anyone who asked me if it was worth seeing, that is worth seeing and worth buying the CD to watch again. This is not a true story, but it could be.
I bought this movie for my daughter for her birthday. She has really enjoyed it. I bought a used copy because it was more economical. The DVD is in good condition and plays just like new. I would recommend others to check Half.com for used movies and books. This is a great place to purchase many items.
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Million Dollar Baby -- Eastwood brings home gold with this masterpiece
Review created: 03/10/05
by: three_ster-- a member of Epinions and Top Reviewer in Movies
Pros: Great direction, Outstanding use of light, great script, top-notch acting
Cons: none
Following up last years gem of Mystic River was going to be tough for Clint Eastwood, and few people thought that he could match the dramatic emotion that the film brought. But, with Million Dollar Baby, Eastwood again has found a script that not only magnifies the talents of the actors involved, but extends beyond what we see on the screen. The only word that we have to describe this film, is that it is a masterpiece. We are told the story of an aging trainer and cut-man, and the southern waitress who comes through the door of his gym one day. The film is narrated from the start, by Morgan...
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A Million Dollar Movie
Review created: 08/16/05
by: Bryan_Carey-- a member of Epinions and Advisor in Movies
Pros: Eastwood's directing; Swank, Freeman, and other performances; Script
Cons: None at all
I love a good sports movie. A film about an underdog individual or team coming out of nowhere to capture the spotlight often makes for some solid, entertaining cinema. Even when you have a good idea how the movie will end, sports films are still exhilarating, emotional, and memorable. One sports movie that won rave reviews as well as a few Oscars is a little different from the others in many respects. This film doesn t feature a team, it doesn t have a soundtrack of inspirational rock and roll tunes, and it doesn t have quite the level of predictability of other motion pictures with a sports..
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How did they make a film this good out of BOXING?!?!
Review created: 02/18/05
by: captaind-- a member of Epinions and Top Reviewer in Movies
Pros: Brilliant cast, tightly plotted, emotional, humour sparingly but effectively used
Cons: Pacing nearly loses its way near the end
In a word WOW. (If you feel that need a little more description than that, read on ) Million Dollar Baby is the story of a female boxer Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), her trainer Frankieie Dunn (Clint Eastwood), and his sidekick / business partner Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris (Morgan Freeman). The film is mainly a character study of the first two characters with many side-plots and subtle nuances along the way. Other peripheral but important characters include Maggie s mother, Frankie s priest, and a slightly mentally retarded young man who believes he will be the Welterweight champion of the...
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Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Review created: 01/31/05
by: lemon_lime -- a member of Epinions
Pros: Eastwood's direction, acting, and score; Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman.
Cons: None.
It's hard not to have a tear in your eye as the final shot of Clint Eastwood's latest masterpiece, Million Dollar Baby, begins its fade to black. Having taken us on an unsentimental yet devastatingly emotional ride over the past two hours, we are left wondering about the big things in life: love, compassion, faith, friendship, and redemption. The tears in our eyes are formed by a mixture of beautiful sadness (the kind only truly great art can produce) and an unspoken respect for the masterful craftmanship on display in service of the story. Million Dollar Baby wastes no lines, exploits no...
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Title Hopes And Dreams
Review created: 02/26/05
by: pmills1210-- a member of Epinions and Advisor in Movies
Pros: Swank, Freeman, Eastwood in all aspects, story
Cons: The final act is not without controversy
Every boxer and their team dreams of the day when that boxer will be good enough to contend for the title. For many years, Frankie Dunn has been very tentative when it comes to title fights. In "Million Dollar Baby," Frankie (Clint Eastwood) is a trainer and manager who never seems to know when to make a move or throw in the towel. He is also the owner of the Hit Pit, a boxing gym where would-be contenders look to flourish under Frankie's tutelage. The gym manager is one of his former boxers, Eddie "Scrap Iron" Dupris (Morgan Freeman). After Eddie's career ended, Frankie became less sure of...