I can see people's ratings! Could ciao have actually fixed something?
I can see people's ratings! Could ciao have actually fixed something?
Member since:05.05.2005
Reviews:968
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Introduction Few won't have heard of this film, which walked away with four academy awards for best motion picture, best achievement in direction, best actress in a leading role for Hilary Swank and best actor in a supporting role for Morgan Freeman. Boxing is really not my thing and the thought of watching a whole film about it really didn't appeal, but I loved Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry and it's for her alone that I watched this film. I wasn't disappointed. Hilary Swank is a superb actress and deserves every award that comes her way.
The director Clint Eastwood has always been well-known as an actor in films such as Dirty Harry and Rawhide, but he has also moved into direction over the past few years, with such films as Bridges Over Madison County, Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby. He also had major roles in Bridges Over Madison County and Million Dollar Baby. Because of his age, many thought that his acting and directing role was over, but obviously not.
The plot Maggie Fitzgerald is determined to become a boxer. She has had a tough life and at the age of 31, supports herself by working as a
waitress and feeding herself on other people's leftovers. When she finds Frankie Dunn's gym, she is determined that he is going to become her trainer; the only problem is that he is not interested in training her. Maggie is not one to give up though; and eventually she breaks down Dunn's reserves and he takes her on as a student.
She begins fighting professionally and does well under Frankie's tutelage, although he frequently has to reign in her exuberance. Having had a major break-up with his daughter, Maggie slowly begins to help him recover and face up to his past; in the same way, he helps Maggie come to terms with her painful past. But then Maggie is put forward for a major championship - will she be able to cope or is she just not ready?
The characters Hilary Swank as Maggie is fantastic. Her portrayal of the lonely trailer trash Maggie with the strong determination to make something of herself is one of the most realistic pieces of acting that I have ever seen. I really wanted her to do well for herself and found myself screaming at the television. Hilary Swank is not particularly attractive, but she has a strong face and has a way of winning over her audience - somehow she makes herself into just an ordinary girl with hopes and desires that all of us have. What a performance.
Clint Eastwood as Frankie is also good - he is a superb actor who continues to go from strength to strength. However, as I think he had planned, he remains in the background compared to Hilary Swank, until close to the end, when he really comes into his own. I enjoyed the fact that Eastwood as a director brought together the two characters who are both strong-willed and frequently clash, but underneath it all, have a lot in common and are ultimately able to help each other. Their love for each other is deeply touching.
Eddie, played by Morgan Freeman, is the story-teller and does, as always, a superb role as the manager of Frankie's gym. He cares for both Frankie and Maggie and frequently has to step in between the two of them. He very much takes a back seat role compared to the other two lead actors, but his performance is strong and he thoroughly deserved the academy award that he received for this role.
Technical bits Classification: 12. Personally, I think there is a lot of violence in this film and I would not like anyone I knew under the age of 15 to watch this. But then, boxing is a frequently televised sport and it is hard to stop children watching. Length of film: 127 minutes Extras: Surprisingly, there weren't any on the version that I saw.
Conclusion Without a doubt, this is a great film. However, it is a little too long for my liking and I did find a lot of the fighting scenes both painful and tedious. The best part of the film was the last half hour when the fighting stopped - the ending is deeply touching. What did stand out for me was Hilary Swank's performance and the way the relationship between Frankie and Maggie was built up. Morgan Freeman was also superb in his supporting role. The story, which is based on a real event, is not the best story that I have ever heard; much of the wow factor was based on the action scenes, which I found really distressing at times. I think this is an encouraging film from the point of view that it is about an ordinary girl doing good against the odds; but I hope to goodness it doesn't encourage people to take up boxing as a sport. Personally, I can't imagine that it would.
Direction-wise, I think Clint Eastwood gave a good, but not brilliant performance. The good parts of the film are down to the actors rather than good direction and cinematography. However, he did win an academy award for it, so perhaps there is something that I did not see.
Due to the lack of extras, I am reviewing the film version only. The DVD is still relatively new, so it is not as cheap as it could be - it is available on play.com for £8.99.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Pat O'Connor - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over, 15 years and over - Starring: Geraldine O'Rawe, Colin Firth, Saffron Burrows, Minnie Driver, Chris O'Donnell
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
I have had this for months and still haven't managed to watch it all the way through! every time i try something either interrupts me or I fall asleep LOL.................What have seen has been good though! x
aspebbles 02.05.2006 20:27
Thanks for the trust! I think Clint Eastwood can be a bit of problem when it comes to women's issues, but I have not seen this film so cannotcomment on that part. Good review, tho.
salem_witch 28.04.2006 16:08
I really enjoyed this as well. I did have trouble trying not to cry!
Clint Eastwood's 25th film as a director,Million Dollar Babystands proudly ... more
withUnforgivenandMystic Riveras the masterwork of a great American filmmaker. In an age of bloated spectacle and computer-generated effects extravaganzas, Eastwood turns an eleg...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Clint Eastwood's 25th film as a director,Million Dollar Babystands proudly ... more
withUnforgivenandMystic Riveras the masterwork of a great American filmmaker. In an age of bloated spectacle and computer-generated effects extravaganzas, Eastwood turns an eleg...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
In the wake of a painful estrangement from his daughter, boxing trainer Frankie Dunn has ... more
been unwilling to let himself get close to anyone for a very long time - then Maggie Fitzgerald walks into his gym. In a life of constant struggle, Maggie's gotten...
Advantages: Easy to follow plot and storyline; gets you thinking about life Disadvantages: Boring standard plot; some annoying characters; slow development
![Million Dollar Baby [DVD] [2005]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78484179.jpg "Million Dollar Baby [DVD] [2005]")
Apr 28th, 2006
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