Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Co-produced & directed by Clint Eastwood, and based on stories by F. X. Toole ("Rope Burns") which were adapted by Paul Haggis, this powerful boxing drama becomes something else in its final third, with an emotional impact that snuck up on this reviewer. Starring Hilary Swank (Boys Don't Cry (1999)), in the title role, as a determined "white trash" waitress with a dream and co-starring director Eastwood (Unforgiven (1992)) and Morgan Freeman as two aging veterans of the fight game who together run a dilapidated gym training "promising" young talent, this film was awarded the Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year. Director Eastwood, Best Actress Swank, and Supporting Actor Freeman, whose character provides narration as well, also won Oscars; Best Actor Eastwood, Editor Joel Cox (Unforgiven (1992)), and Screenplay Writer Haggis were nominated.

The supporting cast includes Jay Baruchel as a wannabe boxer loser, Mike Colter as a would-be champion that has to leave Eastwood's care to get his shot at the title, real-life World Champion kickboxer and junior welterweight title holder Lucia Rijker as the dirty opponent Swank’s character must fight for the title, and Brian O’Byrne as Father Horvak, who attempts to provide some solace to Eastwood's character. Tony Award nominee Margo Martindale and Riki Lindhome play members of Swank’s family, her mom and sister respectively. Bruce MacVittie plays the rival fight manager who "steals" Colter's character away from Eastwood's. Anthony Mackie plays a tough boxer-heckler who hangs out in the gym that gets his comeuppance in the end.

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