Million Dollar Baby (2004) Rank 3 Reviews

MovieFreak.com (Dennis Landmann)

Million Dollar Baby tells an inspiring and engaging story from start to finish. There aren't many plot twists or anything, but watching the characters experience success and drama comes across very realistically and dramatically in terms of directing ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at MovieFreak.com (Dennis Landmann)

Empire Movies (Brendan Cullin)

Nevertheless, I cannot deny Million Dollar Baby the credit it deserves. It is an outstanding piece of cinema but perhaps not entirely my cup of tea and maybe not a movie for anyone not looking to get beat up by a movie. I would be very surprised ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Empire Movies (Brendan Cullin)

offoffoff.com

And maybe that's why there are more fine boxing movies than baseball, football, basketball and hockey movies combined. "Raging Bull" and "Rocky" are the obvious ones, of course. But I can also think of a short animated film that was the first thing ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at offoffoff.com

Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)

After Mystic River, one of the most overrated pictures of the last few years, this is a return to form for Clint Eastwood. He produces, directs, scores and stars in "Million Dollar Baby", a boxing drama where it's the emotional wounds that take the ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)

World Socialist Web Site

His direction of actors varies wildly. Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Marcia Gay Harden and the rest in Mystic River gave poor, thoroughly misguided performances in a muddy, misanthropic work. Swank, a gifted performer, is more effective here because the ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at World Socialist Web Site

Reel.com (Sarah Chauncey)

Boxing clichÃ©s abound and will no doubt be used freely by many reviewers. But Million Dollar Baby is such an exceptional film that it deserves better than clever puns. This movie is a breathtaking human drama that will leave you speechless. Okay, so ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Reel.com (Sarah Chauncey)

Godspy

For the two of us, going to a movie requires planning. It's hard to be spontaneous when you're in a wheelchair, or trudging along beside one. But nothing was going to keep us from judging Clint Eastwood's controversial new movie for ourselves. ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Godspy

DVD Review e-zine

Having avoided all of the hype surrounding this film during its theatrical run, and feeling that Martin Scorsese was possibly robbed at this year's Oscar ceremony, I'm truly delighted that I finally took opportunity to experience the film. ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at DVD Review e-zine

Screen It! Entertainment Reviews for Parents

With the peculiarly titled "Million Dollar Baby," Clint Eastwood elicits yet another remarkable performance from a young actor. Hilary Swank, who just a film or so ago ("The Core") was looking like she'd never again achieve the stunning ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Screen It! Entertainment Reviews for Parents

FilmStew.com (Richard Horgan)

Like the boxing world that it depicts, Clint Eastwood's 25th directorial effort can only truly be deemed a champ if it matches up convincingly to previous consensus title-holders. ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at FilmStew.com (Richard Horgan)

Cinema Blend

There has been nothing but huge buzz surrounding Academy Award winning director Clint Eastwoodâ��s latest film. Is Million Dollar Baby worth all the critical hype? I don't think so. ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Cinema Blend

Three Imaginary Girls review (embracey)

MILLION DOLLAR BABY No one is more surprised than I that a boxing movie directed by and starring Clint Eastwood would top my best-of-the-year list. A simple plot summary might suggest a darker version of Girlfight, but brilliant screenwriter Paul Haggis ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Three Imaginary Girls review (embracey)

CNN Showbiz (Paul Clinton)

But it's also, quite simply, one of the best films of the year -- or the last few years, for that matter. The film works on every level -- acting, direction and production -- as it tells its heartfelt story about human frailty and the power of ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at CNN Showbiz (Paul Clinton)

Cinema Signals by The Filmiliar Cineaste

The artistic Clint Eastwood eye has turned to the world of boxing, and to "Rope Burns: Stories From the Corner," a collection of short stories based on the experiences of long-time fight manager and cutman Jerry Boyd. Writing under the pen name F.X. ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Cinema Signals by The Filmiliar Cineaste

Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)

I like a film that has a character-driven plot. This film is more like a fight in which the characters are having the stuffings beat out of them by the plot. This is certainly a well-crafted film. The fight scenes are extremely well-staged. The acting ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)

Gorilla Pants (Melissa Prusi)

Those are all minor reservations. Million Dollar Baby is well worth seeing with its pitch-perfect performances and complex relationships. Oscar-worthy? Well, I wouldn't choose it, but it is a movie that stays with you long after you leave the theater. ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Gorilla Pants (Melissa Prusi)

7M Pictures (Kevin Carr)

I started to hear the buzz about â��Million Dollar Babyâ�� before I even knew what it was about. Late in 2004, I kept hearing the name in Golden Globe nominations and peppered among Oscar buzz. And this was before I ever saw one trailer for it. ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at 7M Pictures (Kevin Carr)

Movie Vault (Friday and Saturday Night Critic)

If there is one word to describe what "Million Dollar Baby" does so well, it's "breathe." In the broad outlines of its plot, there's nothing unpredictable about its first two acts. But the movie is paced so wellâ��it breathes so deeplyâ��that ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Movie Vault (Friday and Saturday Night Critic)

Ciné-club de Caen (Jean-Luc Lacuve)

RejetÃ© depuis longtemps par sa fille, l'entraÃ®neur Frankie Dunn s'est repliÃ© sur lui-mÃªme et vit dans un dÃ©sert affectif, en Ã©vitant toute relation qui pourrait accroÃ®tre sa douleur et sa culpabilitÃ©. Le jour oÃ¹ Maggie Fitzgerald, 31 ans, ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Ciné-club de Caen (Jean-Luc Lacuve)

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

However, while the film packs quite a punch, including heavyweight performances from Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman, and a textured screenplay by Paul Haggis (adapted from a short story by Irish Catholic author F.X. Toole), the movie's ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Guardian/Observer

This looks like it's going to be simply a capably managed feelgood boxing movie. But towards the very end of Clint Eastwood's new film there is ... not a twist, but a narrative development which makes it a lot deeper, darker and indeed more real than ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Guardian/Observer

The J Man Times

Beside the weak sketch of Frankie's religious life, there are additional unsatisfying aspects to the film. The other boxers who train at the gym are mere caricatures. . .trash talking, cowardly Blacks, simpleton Whites, inarticulate Hispanics. Maggie's ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at The J Man Times

Chicago Tribune (Michael Wilmington)

At first, "Million Dollar Baby" carries a mixed ring of truth and seeming cliche. The source of Paul Haggis' script is a boxing story by "F.X. Toole" the pseudonym of actual fight manager/cut man (or first-aid corner man) Jerry Boyd. And though ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Chicago Tribune (Michael Wilmington)

The DVD Report

Nominated for 5 Golden Globes and 7 Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture of the Year, Million Dollar Baby opened to widespread critical acclaim and excellent audience reviews. Director Clint Eastwood, whose career spans multiple decades in ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at The DVD Report

CinemaZone.dk

Vi var ellers et par stykker, som efter Blood Work var klar til at sige et par pÃ¦ne ord ved begravelsen over Clint Eastwoods karriere. Der er intet galt ved at gÃ¥ i stÃ¥, nÃ¥r man er nÃ¥et op i Ã¥rene som den gamle skuespiller, men i dag er det ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at CinemaZone.dk

Film 247.net

Any story that pairs a determined whatâ��s-her-face with a sceptical old fuddy duddy is going to contain a certain percentage of predictability, and in some cases it can be high enough to the point of yawning. ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Film 247.net

Cinema Blend

There has been nothing but huge buzz surrounding Academy Award winning director Clint Eastwoodâ��s latest film. Is Million Dollar Baby worth all the critical hype? I don't think so. ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Cinema Blend

Voir.ca

Au sommet de son art, Clint Eastwood demeure de nos jours le seul rÃ©alisateur dont le principal intÃ©rÃªt Ã raconter une histoire rÃ©side dans l'exploration de la dignitÃ©. Le sujet n'Ã©tant plus vraiment payant Ã Hollywood, l'acteur-rÃ©alisateur ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Voir.ca

DVD Talk (Joshua Zyber)

Perhaps a little overrated in all of its Oscar fortune, Million Dollar Baby is nevertheless a compelling personal drama of loss and redemption. Some might argue that it's the first actually good movie to be released on the HD DVD format. Delivered to ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at DVD Talk (Joshua Zyber)

BBC Films

After missing out on an Oscar for Mystic River, director Clint Eastwood hit back with boxing drama Million Dollar Baby. He also stars opposite Hilary Swank in this classic underdog story, which "packs a stunning emotional punch". On the big night, ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at BBC Films

DVD-Dweeb.Com (Oliver Korioth)

If you are looking to watch the female version of Rocky, this movie could be for you. Sorta. Million Dollar Baby goes beyond the shallow sports themed film we are so accustomed to seeing, where everyone is a winner at the end and we all live happily ever ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at DVD-Dweeb.Com (Oliver Korioth)

Jerry Saravia

The boxers in this gym are all male, that is until Maggie (Hilary Swank), a 31yearold Missouri waitress, shows up and wants to be trained by Frankie. He refuses but Maggie doesn't budge, as she trains every day and works up a sweat past the closing time. ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Jerry Saravia

CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Alberto Cassani)

Frankie Dunn Ã¨ un anziano allenatore che gestisce una palestra di pugilato a Los Angeles. Il suo pupillo Ã¨ 'Big' Willie Little, che dopo l'ultima vittoria diventa lo sfidante numero uno per il titolo mondiale. Frankie non lo ritiene perÃ² pronto ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Alberto Cassani)

Boxoffice Magazine

"People love violence," Morgan Freeman growls in Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby." It's not a startling revelation for a culture of sports fans who cheer as NFL quarterbacks get swarmed in the pocket and watch NASCAR drivers race in circles, ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Boxoffice Magazine

Crosswalk.com Movies (Holly McClure)

Itâ��s one of those films thatâ��s destined to elicit praise. Not only does â��Million Dollar Babyâ�� have an all-star cast, a talented director, sensitive cinematography and a good script, full of well-drawn characters and strong dialogue, but it also ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Crosswalk.com Movies (Holly McClure)

Cinema in Focus (Denny Wayman and Hal Conklin)

The moral issues of Clint Eastwoodâ��s film, â��Million Dollar Baby,â�� are presented with authenticity and vulnerability. Rather than making euthanasia a theoretical decision made by an ethics committee whose members may or may not have faith in God, ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Cinema in Focus (Denny Wayman and Hal Conklin)

filmdeculte.com (Julie Anterrieu)

Un an et demi aprÃ¨s le chef dâ��Å�uvre Mystic River, Clint Eastwood continue son exploration des drames sombres avec ce nouveau mÃ©trage. Un coup de maÃ®tre que ce vingt-septiÃ¨me film qui sâ��est vu couronnÃ© par deux Golden Globes et quatre Oscars en ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at filmdeculte.com (Julie Anterrieu)

DVDnett.no

et er noe med Oscarpriser som gjÃ¸r at forventningene mine vokser i forkant av en filmopplevelse. Million Dollar Baby drog med seg hele fire statuetter, og ikke kjedelige tekniske priser som beste lyd eller Ã¥rets sminke, men fire av de gjeveste man kan ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at DVDnett.no

Cinopsis

AprÃ¨s une rupture douloureuse avec sa fille, l'entraÃ®neur de boxe Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) n'a plus jamais laissÃ© quiconque entrer dans sa vie. C'est alors que Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) franchit le seuil de sa salle de sport. MarquÃ©e ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Cinopsis

Xi-online (Ferdi Verweij)

Met tientallen bekende films als acteur en ook al heel wat als regisseur op zijn naam heeft Clint Eastwood inmiddels een ongeÃ«venaarde staat van dienst in Hollywood. Met een regie-oscar op zak, en vorig jaar nog succesvol bij pers en publiek met Mystic ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Xi-online (Ferdi Verweij)

San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)

Part of what makes this film different is the story, which can't be talked about in detail without damaging the first experience of it. Other elements can be discussed -- for one thing, the movie's fablelike quality, which fully emerges only days after ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)

cinEncanto (Pablo del Moral)

En la segunda mitad de su carrera, Clint Eastwood logrÃ³ una evoluciÃ³n impresionante; de ser un actor rudo pasÃ³ a convertirse en un aclamado director, cuyas pelÃculas abarcan varios gÃ©neros, pero siempre con un palpitante corazÃ³n humano en el centro ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at cinEncanto (Pablo del Moral)

Political Film Society

Million Dollar Baby, directed by Clint Eastwood, is an exposÃ© of the world of boxing, with many explanatory voiceovers throughout the film by Morgan Freeman. Although the plot appears to be about the career of the title role, Maggie Fitzgerald (played ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Political Film Society

Lawrence Journal-World (Jon Niccum)

As with Eastwood's been-through-it-all-before character, there's a lived-in feel to the movie. Every locale has a slightly dilapidated quality, and the picture's somber colors conjure the gritty feel of '70s indie cinema. But Eastwood also revels in ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Lawrence Journal-World (Jon Niccum)

CineScene.com (Chris Knipp)

You age, you pare down. This is a logical way to approach Clint Eastwood's simple, unoriginal, but somehow extraordinarily satisfying new movie, Million Dollar Baby, which stars himself, Morgan Freeman, and the talented youngster, Hillary Swank. Even ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at CineScene.com (Chris Knipp)

A Guide to Current DVD (Aaron Beierle)

A few years ago, Clint Eastwood was motoring along with films like "Space Cowboys", "True Crime" and "Blood Work" - directing, starring and producing all of them. None of them were considered Eastwood's finest work, but even Eastwood's weaker ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at A Guide to Current DVD (Aaron Beierle)

Plugged In

While I'm convinced that helping people end their lives is morally wrong and that such choices should be Godâ��s alone, I'm also convinced that fighters such as Tom Young, Joni Eareckson Tada ... and Maggie can be helped to battle their way through ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Plugged In

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

If there's one thing you learn from a boxing movie, it's the importance of believing in yourself. So after months of being pummeled by pre-release publicity, this critic is honor-bound to stick out his chin and say that Clint Eastwood's ``Million ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at St. Louis Post-Dispatch

d+kaz. Intelligent Movie Reviews (Daniel Kasman)

The silvery dimness of Tom Stern�s lovely color-noir photography in Million Dollar Baby, seemingly emanating off the grayed crop on top of director and lead actor Clint Eastwood�s head, suggests that its trio of characters are all on the downward ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at d+kaz. Intelligent Movie Reviews (Daniel Kasman)

Cinescape

A sense of sorrow and dread is present at the start of MILLION DOLLAR BABY, though if no one spoils the film for the viewer, it plays out unpredictably. It certainly earns its stature as a tragedy, though at the beginning, we can be forgiven for thinking ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Cinescape

Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)

A bit slow in the get go, very strong in the middle, then slow again on the way out, but endearing -- always endearing. Strong acting (not sure if its Oscar worthy), good direction, and pleasant cinematography. How to review without spoiling? I'm not ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)

hoopla.nu

Like Mystic River, this is an Eastwood film that the critics and fans seem to love. Why, I'm not quite sure. Million Dollar Baby is a solid piece of entertainment, but nothing more. There are no surprises here, no stand out performances or new ideas. ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at hoopla.nu

Dallas Observer (Bill Gallo)

Clint Eastwood began digging into the third act of his career--the one that reveals the mature, deep-thinking artist...with a little jazz piano on the side--a dozen years ago, with the discomfiting anti-western Unforgiven. Since then, he's hardly come ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Dallas Observer (Bill Gallo)

Bright Lights Film Journal

Since heâ��s begun directing (staging) himself, Eastwood has put at the heart of each film the man-woman relationship: lovers, husbands and wives, and fathers and daughters. A world separates the characters he has played for other directors from those he ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Bright Lights Film Journal

CineMe (Daniel Meyer)

...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at CineMe (Daniel Meyer)

Moviepie.com

Not because it contains any spoilers (donâ��t worry, it doesnâ��t) or because Iâ��ll somehow give away any crucial plot points. You should stop reading because this review might to do you what all the reviews I read before seeing the movie did to me: ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Moviepie.com

Steve Rhodes

In another performance certain to earn her a second Academy Award nomination, Hilary Swank (BOYS DON'T CRY) is wonderful as Maggie Fitzgerald, a scrappy fighter with a hillbilly accent. At almost 32, she is over a decade too old to begin a career as a ...read the complete Million Dollar Baby movie review at Steve Rhodes

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