The hit movie “Million Dollar Baby” sent shockwaves around Hollywood yesterday as it captured 4 of the “Big 6” awards at the Academy Awards for Motion Pictures. Directed by 74 year old Clint Eastwood, in only 37 days and on a slim budget, the film ousted the likes of big name actors and big budget movies. Eastwood, who also plays manager Frankie Dunn in the film, won “Best Director” and his masterpiece also won “Best Film”. Hilary Swank, who stars as the stubborn and determined Maggie Fitzgerald, won the “Best Female Actress” award. The first major oscar winner of the evening went to Morgan Freeman, who plays fighter-turned trainer named Scrap. Freeman won “Best Supporting Actor.”
There is absolutely no doubt that “Million Dollar Baby” delivered a knockout punch on Hollywood’s biggest stage. A big win for the sport of boxing! Have you seen the movie yet? Below is an excerpt from Warner Bros. website about the film:
By Warner Bros Official Website for Million Dollar Baby.
Frankie Dunn (CLINT EASTWOOD) has trained and managed some incredible fighters during a lifetime spent in the ring. The most important lesson he teaches his boxers is the one that rules his life: above all, always protect yourself. In the wake of a painful estrangement from his daughter, Frankie has been unwilling to let himself get close to anyone for a very long time. His only friend is Scrap (MORGAN FREEMAN), an ex-boxer who looks after Frankie’s gym and knows that beneath his gruff exterior is a man who has attended Mass almost every day for the past 23 years, seeking the forgiveness that somehow continues to elude him.
Then Maggie Fitzgerald (HILARY SWANK) walks into his gym.
Maggie’s never had much, but there is one thing she does have that very few people in this world ever do: she knows what she wants and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get it. In a life of constant struggle, Maggie’s gotten herself this far on raw talent, unshakable focus and a tremendous force of will. But more than anything, what she wants is for someone to believe in her.
The last thing Frankie needs is that kind of responsibility – let alone that kind of risk. He tells Maggie the blunt hard truth: she’s too old and he doesn’t train girls. But ‘no’ has little meaning when you have no other choice. Unwilling or unable to give up on her life’s ambition, Maggie wears herself to the bone at the gym every day, encouraged only by Scrap. Finally won over by Maggie’s sheer determination, Frankie begrudgingly agrees to take her on.
In turns exasperating and inspiring each other, the two come to discover that they share a common spirit that transcends the pain and loss of their pasts, and find in each other a sense of family they lost long ago. What they don’t know is that soon they will both face a battle that’s going to demand more heart and courage than any they’ve ever known.
