Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Million Dollar Baby is the 2004 boxing tragedy that took the film industry. Morgan Freeman narrates in character as Eddie, telling the story of Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank)'s rags-to-riches rise to fame under boxing mentor Frankie Dunne (Clint Eastwood). Eastwood remarkably directed, produced and even wrote the music for MDB, proving himself as a multi-talented genius as his name dominates the opening credits. It sounds like such a cliche. And it isn't just that, it's a chain of cliches one after the other for the first half of the film. Nothing in particular is there to distinguish it from all the other great spoting films that have come before it. An underdog spat on by the with no passions but the sport she is naturally talented at? Check. A grisly mentor who appears tough but is revealed to have deep affection for the apprentice he is at first reluctant to take under his wing? Check. Against all odds, the underdog channels her emotions and becomes exceptional at her chosen sport? Check. It feels like you could write the ending after the first five minutes of viewing. There are some very good momets that make this half watchable, but parts of it really seem to drag on. But an hour or so in, the mood of the whole film turns dramatically. The film that was just so-so is suddenly compelling and you are now enthralled by these characters who you've just realised you care about. There are some truly heartbreaking moments which Eastwood in particular plays outstandingly. It's his acting that really lets us feel a huge amount of empathy for Swank's character, who's acting has been fairly mediocre so far. Even so, it's impossible to ignore the fabulous creativity expressed in the screenplay towards the end of this film. You'll laugh. You'll groan. You'll cry. A lot. This impressive but slightly dissappointing film probably wasn't worthy of the four Oscars it bagged - but wasn't a bad watch either.