2/21/2005
Million Dollar Baby stars Clint Eastwood as Frankie Dunn, Hilary Swank as Maggie Fitzgerald, Morgan Freeman as Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris, Jay Baruchel as Danger Barch, Mike Colter as Big Willie Little, Lucia Rijker (real female boxer) as Billie The Blue Bear, Brian F. O'Byrne as Father Horvak (as Brian O'Byrne), Anthony Mackie as Shawrelle Berry, Margo Martindale as Earline Fitzgerald, Riki Lindhome as Mardell Fitzgerald, Michael Pena as Omar (as Michael Peņa), Benito Martinez as Billie's Manager, Bruce MacVittie as Mickey Mack, David Powledge as Counterman at Diner, Joe D'Angerio as Cut Man, Marcus Chait as J.D. Fitzgerald, Tom McCleister as the Lawyer, and Erica Grant as the Nurse.
Million Dollar Baby is better described by what it isn't than what it is. It is not Rocky. It is not Requiem for a Heavyweight. It is not Somebody Up There Likes Me. It is not Raging Bull. These are all great fight/fighter films. Million Dollar Baby will never be on this list. Clint Eastwood is miscast in this film. Of course, he cast himself as this is a Clint Eastwood does it all movie, producing, directing, starring. There are two great performances in this film, Morgan Freeman (not a fan) and Hilary Swank. These two characters are the only ones that are developed with any depth. One notable, comical character is Jay Baruchel as Danger. The other characters have no depth and are used as filler. The fight scenes are unrealistic in there setting, as the crowds are calm, no smoke, no crowding of people. The knock-outs, except one, are all choreographed in the same way.
Million Dollar Baby is a story of a women who wants to be a fighter. She approaches a gym owner who trains fighters, and asks to be trained. But, Frankie Dunn doesn't train girls. Maggie has made up her mind and trains at the gym everyday for long hours between her waitressing job. Eddie takes notice of her and gives her pointers. When Frankie loses his main fighter, Big Willie Little, he reluctantly starts training her. Maggie's success lands her a title fight with Billie, The Blue Bear (a poor choice of name), the dirtiest fighter in the game.
Million Dollar Baby has three main threads, none of which are developed. It also has interspersed cheap (predictable) laughs. When it's all over we don't care about the mystery of Frankie's daughter, his faith, his life, or his disappearance. We do care about Maggie, as her performance and character are wonderful. Million Dollar Baby throws too many subplots at us and then does nothing to develop them. Yes, we can guess at them and make up our own scenarios, but what's the point? Million Dollar Baby just does not deliver the goods. Clint stick to Dirty Harry movies, we love those.
I give it 2 out of 5 frozen bottles: 