Million Dollar Baby

     This week our movie is "Million Dollar Baby" and boy, was it a tear jerker, The story centers around a boxing coach and an up and coming female boxer. After finally agreeing to train her, the two go on a journey that ultimately ends in a hospital room. There are three main characters in this movie and they are played by Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, and Morgan Freeman. Let's see why these three actors really brought the movie to life.

    Not only did Clint Eastwood direct this movie, he starred in it as well! Eastwood does an amazing job portraying Frankie Dunn, a grouchy old boxing manager, praying for a title fight for one of his boxers.  Some of the most heart wrenching scenes are him going through the stages of grief as he struggles to deal with what has happened to Maggie (Hilary Swank). You can see the anguish in the hospital, with his priest, and with his best friend as he grapples with what to do about his "Mo Cuishle". 

    It's no surprise Hilary Swank walked away with the Academy Award for best actress for this one. Swank played Maggie Fitzgerald, a waitress from the Ozarks begging to be trained by Dunn. Swank really brought the character to life, constantly training in the gym, showing how tenacious Maggie was. Some of her best work was literally on her back, in a hospital bed, after Maggie was seriously injured. The light never left her eyes, her love for life was there until the very end, even when her character wanted to die. Her warmth and bravery held up the entire film. Swank even gave off an impressive Ozark accent.

    The beautiful voice narrating the film, was none other than Morgan Freeman. Freeman plays Eddie Dupris, an ex-boxer that works at the gym Dunn owns. Freeman does a great job with getting the audience to see this story from another perspective, as his character is always looking out for the under dogs. My favorite scene is when he sticks up for "Danger" and knocks the crap out of his opponent. Freeman went on to win the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role.

    If you are looking for a movie with some incredible actors and actresses, this is it. All three of those mentioned above moved me beyond belief. Their performances brought to life the story of a young woman on top of the world and the tragedy that altered her course. They reminded us that not all tragedy means a bad life and that not all people use their chance to be truly great. I highly recommend this movie for those not afraid to shed a tear or two.

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