Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Many directors try to make a film to impress you, but this is out of the list. While the best prize for a filmmaking crew is to get lots of wows at the end of the movie, this film will make you speechless. This is Million Dollar Baby drama movie – definitely a must-see film.

Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) is the owner of a boxing gym, which he runs with his best friend and former boxer Scrap (Morgan Freeman). Frankie is an excellent trainer but his fighter he is close with leaves him giving preference to more appealing manager. As we see this is not the only separation Frankie had to face in his life, and each time it leaves a wound. One day a young girl Maggie (Hilary Swank) came into his gym. Her dream is to become a known boxer and she knows only Frankie can help her to reach it. He could hardly imagine that after braking his rule about not to train girls, he will devote all his life to her.

The film is absolutely amazing! Everything is perfect there: acting, storytelling, settings, cinematography... The whole story is narrated by Scrap when he is writing the letter and telling the story of Frankie's life to his daughter in a deadpan manner. He is the only witness who knows the truth of what had happened. Though there many events in the film, sometimes shocking, sometimes entertaining, but it's hard to retell the story without losing subtle yet important details, because the main accent is made on the relationships between Frankie and Maggie their reactions to the events of their lives.

Million Dollar Baby drama is an excellent example of how movies should be made. This is an intelligent picture giving you food for thought in abundance: religious issues, family problems, friendship, meanness, selfishness are of many revealed in the film for your consideration. There are no unnecessary scenes or minor actors to beguile your attention. There is a certain atmosphere, mood brought through the way of storytelling. You will also find a unique Eastwood's directing here, the same as in Gran Torino, with unrushed, relaxed pacing that gives a sense of real time and low lightning with a shade of noir.

The ending is totally unexpected and striking. All the irony that dominates in the movie vanishes away leaving the place for tender, timid relationships between father and a daughter rather than a trainer and a fighter. While boys don't cry usually, this is the moment for girls to share a tear. This is absolutely a must-see movie, one of few that can boast to have lots of positive viewers' reviews, very high rating and many awards.