I always fantasized to be a pugilist almost since my childhood; but, of course never pursued it for obvious reasons. Now, I satiate my thirst by just watching boxing matches and movies related to the same; be it the Rocky series or the Cindrella Man (James J Braddock), I 've seen 'em all. The one movie that was eluding me from quite a few years, was - 'Million Dollar Baby', that stars Hillary Swank (Maggie Fitzgerald) in a memorable role of a woman pugilist (got an Oscar for her performance), Clint Eastwood (Frankie Dunn) as a trainer and Morgan Freeman (Eddie) as a retired Boxer, at his usual best.
I just loved all the boxing sequences in the movie; all were shot very real and were quite captivating. In addition to the fights, what appealed to me the most was the way in which the development of the bond between the boxer and the trainer was shown. Also, very interesting and touchy dialogs between Swank, Eastwood and Freeman. A few of them, I am quoting below (picked from imdb):
[After Maggie gets hit, lies paralyzed & asks Frankie to relieve her from her life]
Maggie Fitzgerald: I do have one favor to ask of you boss.
Frankie Dunn: Anything you want.
Maggie Fitzgerald: Remember what my daddy did for Axel?
Frankie Dunn: [long pause] Don't even think about that.
Maggie Fitzgerald: I can't be like this, Frankie. Not after what I've done. I've seen the world. People chanted my name. Well, not my name... some damn name you gave me. But they were chanting for me. I was in magazines. You think I ever dreamed that'd happen? I was born two pounds, one-and-a-half ounces. Daddy used to tell me I'd fight my way into this world, and I'd fight my way out. That's all I wanna do, Frankie. I just don't wanna fight you to do it. I got what I needed. I got it all. Don't let 'em keep taking it away from me. Don't let me lie here 'till I can't hear those people chanting no more.
[Frankie feels sorry for allowing Maggie to fight to a boxer of higher category to win World Championship]
Frankie Dunn: It wasn't fault. I was wrong to say that.
Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris: You damn right. I found you a fighter. You made her the best fighter she could be.
Frankie Dunn: I killed her.
Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris: Don't say that. Maggie walked through that door with nothing buts guts. No chance in the world of being what she needed to be. It was because of you that she was fighting the championship of the world. You did that. People die everyday, Frankie - mopping floors, washing dishes and you know what their last thought is? I never got my shot. Because of you Maggie got her shot. If she dies today you know what her last thought would be? I think I did all right.
[Frankie finally relieves her]
Frankie Dunn: [to Maggie] All right. I'm gonna disconnect your air machine, then you're gonna go to sleep. Then I'll give you a shot, and you'll... stay asleep. Mo cuishle means "My darling, my blood."
And, performances by all three of them was exceptional; And I couldn't spot any directorial flaw in my first watch!
