Quite the Knockout. Review on Million Dollar Baby Movie

?Boxing involves everything backwards. Unlike a sane person, you rush to the pain instead of running away from it.?

That is actually a line from the movie. Morgan Freeman says that, while leading us into a talk about what boxing means to boxers, and who these people are. This is a knockout movie. It literally lands a sucker punch to the audience in its second half and I am just so happy that I could catch it first day first show.

Million Dollar Baby is not about any single thing. This is not a movie just about boxing, not even about a girl boxing. It?s not about good v/s evil; it?s not about guts and glory. It?s about people. It?s about their lives and beliefs and hopes and dreams. It?s about the worth of family, it?s about relationships. Even though that is a lot to try and talk about through a movie, this movie manages to embrace it all without making you feel burdened.

I will not reveal too much of the story. I went to the theatre with a vague idea that this was about a lady boxer and what actually was presented to me on screen hit me like a ton of bricks. This is not a story you would expect and I would like you people to go the theatre without much of a clue, since this movie does hit you hard and the impact is greater if you are not prepared.

This movie is about a girl named Margaret Fitzgerald who wants to learn how to box (Hillary Swank), about an aging boxing trainer Frankie (Clint Eastwood) and an ex boxer, now blinded in one eye (Morgan Freeman).

The first half is very pleasant. It is simple filmmaking at its best. Eastwood, who directs and produces and acts in this flick, has done real well in keeping the story simple, the dialogues crisp and a sweet undercurrent of humor. The characters seem genuine and though they are not fleshed out to perfection, it is enough to give us the feel of the place and the story. Most of the action happens in a dilapidated gymnasium, and Eastwood makes us feel a part of that world.

The second half is a dramatic change in tone. Eastwood manages to take you through the events in the same way as before, keeping it simple and straightforward. The events however are extraordinary and move you to the core. It?s been a long time since I fought back tears during a movie and by the end of this one I felt slightly drained.

The direction is much above average and is in an Eastwood style of subdued hues and subtle action. In parts there may be a touch too much of drama and a few characters, especially Maggie?s family, do seem a little caricaturish, but overall the movie is pretty much subdued and restrained. Eastwood seems pretty comfortable in the fight scenes and the gym scenes and adds bits of refreshing humor to the narrative. The movie is more than 2 hours long, but the time totally flies by.

The performances are also much above average. Hillary Swank is brilliant. At no point in the movie did I think of her as an actress. When her innocent joie de vivre abruptly turns into soul stirring despair, it is impossible for anyone not to have a lump in their throat. The lady has an extraordinary gift and I am glad she uses it well.

Eastwood starts off stiff and awkward, but falls into rhythm and by the end delivers quite an impressive performance. Freeman is his usual suave self. His performance is very smooth and consistent. He plays his character well, but you really keep thinking of him as an actor, not really his role. There are a few surprisingly sweet characters in the story line. Do look out for Danger Dan.

The background score is non-existent through almost 80% of the movie. This actually goes well with the narrative and is a nice change from the usual dramatic background music so prevalent now. The camera work is good. Most of the drama is infused in the movie through a clever use of light and shadow. The look of the movie is very real and shows a different side of Americana.

Eastwood is not really making a point with this film. He does not turn it into a campaign for or against the brutal sport. He deals with it like an impassive outsider who sees all aspects not just the emotional ones. He has drawn great performances, worked with an impressive and touching story and delivered a cracker of a film.

So do go watch. Try not to hear its story before you go and keep an open mind. And like another one of Freeman?s one liners ?Lets hope we all find peace somewhere between nowhere and some great pie.?