Million Dollar Baby


Clint tackles a Big Issue in this highly rated, nominated and decorated movie, unfortunately we can't reveal what it is without spoiling the movie. It starts off as a ''Rocky for girls'', as a 31 year old woman succeeds in persuading an elderly trainer to take her on. Under his coaching, she has a successful career, winning her fights on knockouts, until she get a shot at the title. And then, something unexpected happens... At SA release, the film was at number 89 on the IMDB's Top 250 list.


130 minutes.
No persons under 13 (Violence).
Drama.

Not currently showing on the local cinema circuit.

Remember... wax on, wax off... whoops, wrong movie...
Remember... wax on, wax off... whoops, wrong movie...

Credits

Cast
Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel, Brian F. O'Byrne
Director
Clint Eastwood
ScreenplayPaul Haggis, from the short stories by F.X. Toole
MusicClint Eastwood
CinematographyTom Stern
Sound formatsDolby Digital, Sony Dynamic Digital Sound, DTS
Made in2004
Produced byWarner Bros., Lakeshore Entertainment, Malpaso Productions, Albert S. Ruddy Productions

Official Site




Ratings

Scale (Max)20

What the Critics say

The Moviesite
Ian Douglas
14
Cape Argus
Yunus Kemp
10
The Cape Times
Kenneth Turan
15
The Star
Tanya Farber
16
Die Burger
Francois Bloemhof
20
Tygerburger
Marita Senekal
15
Sunday Times
Barry Ronge
20
eye Weekly
Adam Nayman
13
Box Office
Annlee Ellingson
10
ReelViews
James Berardinelli
18
Chicago Sunday Times
Roger Ebert
20
BBC
Neil Smith
15

What the People say

Internet
13501 Netizens
17

Average .. 78%

16

Visitor Comments

Ian Douglas: Okay, the first thing you need to know is that this is not a boxing movie... it's about a boxer — and much more besides. Most of the fights last less than 30 seconds, so you will not have to endure two women beating each other to bloody pulp.

It's difficult to discuss this movie without revealing the crucial plot twist, but as another reviewer noted, the buildup to that point takes so long that what follows does not have enough time to develop. This movie really changes directions from that point, both plotwise and moodwise. So expect a roller-coaster ride.

The film is frequently funny, even though it is not billed as a comedy. From a ''big picture'' arty-farty point of view, the structure of the film itself imitates the career path of many a boxer.

In truth, the subject matter it deals with is something that people need to debate. Clint is trying to bring that topic to the table, where it needs legislative work. On the downside, I had difficulty following the conversations in the beginning. I don't know if this was a function of the sound system and/or cinema, or just bad diction by the actors.

Well worth seeing... a crowd pleaser that delivers a knockout.






Xax International logo
 Xax International
 2020
 All rights reserved.