Million Dollar Baby

Starring Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman

Rated PG-13

When I was compiling my list of the best films of 2004, I had not yet seen “Million Dollar Baby.” I had heard the buzz and hoop-la over the film and was anxious to see the movie, especially since the director, Clint Eastwood, gave us last year’s best film, “Mystic River.”

And now I can easily say that my Top Ten Movies of 2004 is not complete without the masterful, powerful “Million Dollar Baby,” which ranks with “The Aviator” and “Sideways” as one of the year’s best films.

Eastwood stars as Frankie, a boxing trainer who owns a gym with his buddy Eddie (Morgan Freeman), a former boxer of Frankie’s. Along comes Maggie (Hilary Swank), a motivated boxer who begs Frankie to train her despite the fact that she’s a girl and too old to box.

Although this may sound like a traditional boxing movie, I cannot tell you how much this film will take you by surprise. The ending has a sad power that cannot be denied, and Freeman, Swank and Eastwood all deserve Oscars for their extraordinary work.

“Million Dollar Baby” and “The Aviator” will have to battle it out for the Best Picture Oscar this year at the Academy Awards; I wouldn’t be disappointed if either one of them got the award.

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