Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2365 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-06-27
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 127 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Clint Eastwood's 25th film as a director, Million Dollar Baby stands proudly with Unforgiven and Mystic River as the masterwork of a great American filmmaker. In an age of bloated spectacle and computer-generated effects extravaganzas, Eastwood turns an elegant screenplay by Paul Haggis (adapted from the book Rope Burns: Stories From the Corner by F.X. Toole, a pseudonym for veteran boxing manager Jerry Boyd) into a simple, humanitarian example of classical filmmaking, as deeply felt in its heart-wrenching emotions as it is streamlined in its character-driven storytelling. In the course of developing powerful bonds between "white-trash" Missouri waitress and aspiring boxer Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), her grizzled, reluctant trainer Frankie Dunn (Eastwood), and Frankie's best friend and training-gym partner Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris (Morgan Freeman), 74-year-old Eastwood mines gold from each and every character, resulting in stellar work from his well-chosen cast. Containing deep reserves of love, loss, and the universal desire for something better in hard-scrabble lives, Million Dollar Baby emerged, quietly and gracefully, as one of the most acclaimed films of 2004, released just in time to earn an abundance of year-end accolades, all of them well-deserved. --Jeff Shannon

Synopsis
Released a little over a year after the grand success of his Oscar-winning feature MYSTIC RIVER, Clint Eastwood returns to the director's chair for MILLION DOLLAR BABY. Eastwood also stars, in the role of Frankie Dunn, a down-on-his-luck former boxing manager who spends the twilight years of his life running a small, dilapidated gym in downtown Los Angeles. Frankie's previous career was blighted by an injury to one of his prize fighters, Scrap (Morgan Freeman), who lost the sight in his right eye during a particularly brutal bout; Scrap now wiles away the hours working as a cleaner in Frankie's gym. Wary of similar occurrences being inflicted on the prestigious young talent that passes before him, Frankie lets a succession of great boxers slip through his fingers. But when the brash, confident young boxer Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) strides into the gym, Frankie's life is irretrievably altered. Initially refusing to train Maggie due to her gender and age, Frankie relents when faced with her tenacity, spirit, and burning ambition. The combination of Maggie's talent and Frankie's tutelage paves the way for the adroit fighter to rise steadily through the ranks of women's boxing, with the unlikely coupling forming a genuinely touching bond in the process. Clint Eastwood has crafted a boxing film fit to stand alongside classics such as RAGING BULL and ROCKY with MILLION DOLLAR BABY. The scenes between Eastwood and Freeman are a delight to watch, with the two old hands pulling off masterfully understated performances as a couple of men teetering on the brink of failure. Likewise, Swank puts in a powerful turn as Maggie, further emphasizing her penchant for unusual roles, and perhaps even bettering her incredible, Oscar-winning showing as Teena Brandon in BOYS DON'T CRY.

Customer Reviews

Million Dollar Movie
This was a multi Oscar winning movie, so I expected empty headed Hollywood glitz and show. Boy was I wrong. This movie is a treat. From the spoken opening by the ever reliable Morgan Freeman to the closing shot which may or may not be Clint Eastwood, it is bold, brave, unpredictable and wholly satisfying. What if it is about boxing, and female boxing at that? That is not the core of this film. Its all about relationships, redemption and revelation. Clint finally plays his age and it suits his looks. Worn, haggard and world weary. Freeman can do this role better than anyone, but don't let his laidback style fool you. He is at the top of his game. The plaudits go to an outstanding performance by Hilary Swank, she cannot have made more than a dozen movies, but two Oscars tells you all you need to know about her talent. A performance which takes her from "no account white trash" to heroine in a staggeringly powerful performance. This is a truly classic movie, it has moments of comedy, high tension, drama, black humour and genuine emotion. Not manufactured emotion, but one where you feel for all the characters. Brilliant writing, direction, sparing score, and top notch acting keep you going right to the harrowing end. A brilliant emotional rollercoaster. Outstanding.

A knock out film that will leave a lasting impression
I have only recently viewed this film and two days on, I am still deeply affected and moved by the story. That surely is the sign of a great film maker (Eastwood) and script.

The story begins as a typical yarn about a young woman from the wrong side of the tracks who has a dream, a relentless determination and self-belief to make something of herself through boxing. She persuades the grizzly trainer played by Clint Eastward to take her on and Morgan Freeman narrates with his hallmark understated, commanding tones.

The film knocks the wind out of you when it takes a turn that is completely unexpected and leaves you numbed with shock as the tragic events unfurl.

The performances by all the lead characters are superb and the film's impact will stay with you for a long time.

Great film, excellent cast
Hilary Swank was the star of this film. Her acting was fantastic, as she seemed to judge every aspect of her performance perfectly. Additionally you couldn't help but feel for her, as you got little insights into her poverty but also, her characters determination. Morgan Freeman also gave an excellent performance. Clint Eastwood was strong but I found at times his character was a little predictable and not as appealing. However, one of the most interesting aspects was Eastwood's relationship with his daughter and Swank's relationship with her own family. There was the feeling that each of the two main characters fulfilled a role that had long been absent, although this wasn't "corny" whatsoever :O) Merely touching. The ease and rapport between Swank and Eastwood also made them absolutely believable as characters and 'partners'.
The film wasn't what I expected at all, but I found it very fulfilling. At the end it was quite haunting, not least because of the twists towards the end. It was steady as well, not lingering for longer than necessary on details but telling the story well. The other chracters in the film also demanded sympathy and revulsion, but all were interesting and relevent characters in the story.
The ending was haunting but incredibly poignant. This film was impressive, excellently crafted and definately worthwhile seeing, not least for the excellent performances of the cast.