Day two of my freebie cinema week, and I went to see Clint Eastwood’s new film, Million Dollar Baby. Now I like Clint Eastwood and he’s matured well, making some really interesting films, and in this instance, starring in it too (he even composed the music here).
Eastwood’s a boxing trainer at a gym where old pro Morgan Freeman also hangs out. Neither of them have got much cash to speak of – particularly Freeman’s character who lost an eye towards the end of his career.
Into this world steps Hilary Swank as a female (obviously) boxer with ideas of getting Eastwood to train her.
The film continues as you might expcet it to, with Eastwood reluctantly taking her on, and despite her age (31), Swank’s character doing well. Then the film changes tack in a dramatic fashion. Rocky this ‘aint.
I won’t say what happens, but it’s not a road that you’re really expecting to travel down.
Swank’s superb, and won a Golden Globe for her performance. Eastwood’s… well just Eastwood. Morgan Freeman narrates, and let’s face it, it’d be worth turning up to a performance of the phone book read by Freeman. A very worthwhile film.