2008 Woodie Awards
Million Dollar Baby knocks 'Em dead
Katie Meyer
Issue date: 3/23/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment
The film industry loves a good boxing flick, and Million Dollar Baby is no exception. It took the gold last month at the Academy Awards, taking home the award for Best Achievement in Directing, Best Motion Picture of the Year, and Best Picture by an Actress in a Leading Role. It also swept up a myriad of awards from the Boston Society of Film Critics, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the Chicago Film Critics Association, the National Society of Film Critics, the New York Film Critics Circle, and the Golden Globes. Million Dollar Baby might illustrate the story of an underdog, but the film itself has certainly been a winner since its December 15 release.
Million Dollar Baby is the story of one young woman's struggle to find meaning and love in a world that seems to have given up on her years ago. Maggie Fitzgerald, played by the inspiring Hilary Swank, through unyielding ambition and focus is determined to triumph over her doomed social status and become a world champion boxer. However, being in her socio-economic position and simply being a female will render the journey even more arduous and difficult, but she realizes it is possible with the right trainer. Maggie persists to have the legendary but jaded Frankie Dunn, portrayed by the phenomenal Clint Eastwood, to train her. Frankie's and Maggie's painful pasts give them a bond they never would have imagined, proving that just when two people think the world has given up on them, it throws them another round.
This film is an inspiring and magnificent film that tugs at the heart- strings with every scene thanks to the stellar cast. The film's star, Hilary Swank, first showed critics and audiences her amazing talents as an actress in 1999's Sundance favorite Boy's Don't Cry, and she even picked up the Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a leading role. However, many critics questioned if she would ever rise above her bronzed statue. Soon, many believed the critics' prophecies was becoming an unfortunate truth when she starred in the critically condemned and box office flop, The Core. Swank bounced back with Million Dollar Baby proving she is not just another professionally doomed Oscar winner (i.e. Cuba Gooding, Jr.). In fact, Million Dollar Baby is Swank's best work to date. She successfully conveys Maggie's intensity and dedication both physically and emotionally with grace. She convinces audience members that she is not just playing Maggie Fitzgerald, but she has become her.
Million Dollar Baby is the story of one young woman's struggle to find meaning and love in a world that seems to have given up on her years ago. Maggie Fitzgerald, played by the inspiring Hilary Swank, through unyielding ambition and focus is determined to triumph over her doomed social status and become a world champion boxer. However, being in her socio-economic position and simply being a female will render the journey even more arduous and difficult, but she realizes it is possible with the right trainer. Maggie persists to have the legendary but jaded Frankie Dunn, portrayed by the phenomenal Clint Eastwood, to train her. Frankie's and Maggie's painful pasts give them a bond they never would have imagined, proving that just when two people think the world has given up on them, it throws them another round.
This film is an inspiring and magnificent film that tugs at the heart- strings with every scene thanks to the stellar cast. The film's star, Hilary Swank, first showed critics and audiences her amazing talents as an actress in 1999's Sundance favorite Boy's Don't Cry, and she even picked up the Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a leading role. However, many critics questioned if she would ever rise above her bronzed statue. Soon, many believed the critics' prophecies was becoming an unfortunate truth when she starred in the critically condemned and box office flop, The Core. Swank bounced back with Million Dollar Baby proving she is not just another professionally doomed Oscar winner (i.e. Cuba Gooding, Jr.). In fact, Million Dollar Baby is Swank's best work to date. She successfully conveys Maggie's intensity and dedication both physically and emotionally with grace. She convinces audience members that she is not just playing Maggie Fitzgerald, but she has become her.