Grade: A | Genre: Drama Summary: Million Dollar Baby doesn't make life easy. There are times you will squirm in your seat, but it provides an immensely thought-provoking portrait that lingers long after the credits roll. When Million Dollar Baby first made its debut in theatres, it left an impression on moviegoers, stirring up a torrent of emotions. Some left muddled in the feeling of sadness. Some walked away uplifted by what they saw as a life affirming message. Others were so incensed by the film, they did their talking with markers and poster board, picketing theatres in protest of the film's central theme. The Academy of Motion Pictures felt so strongly about the merits of the film they showered it with Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman), Best Actress (Hillary Swank), Best Director (Clint Eastwood) and Best Picture. Regardless, the film exacted a strong emotional response from the viewer, which is the goal of any great piece of art. How does this film dig so deep into the audience's emotional core you ask?

Well to tell you that would suck all the fun out of this brilliant picture, and I refuse to be a fun sponge. If you want someone to ruin the ending for you, I'm sure someone will be more than happy to oblige. What I can tell you is Million Dollar Baby is actually two films masquerading as one. The first is a valiant boxing film that has the heart of Rocky with the scrappy soul of Girlfight. The second...well that's more complicated.

The film opens with Frankie Dunn (Eastwood) training his prized stallion, Willy Jones. He's bled blood, sweat and tears for this kid, teaching him everything he knows about boxing so he might become the heavyweight champion of the world. The only problem is, Frankie won't let Willy take the shot he's been training a lifetime to attain. He's too busy protecting him, not wanting him to meet the same fate of a ghostly contender who haunts him till this day. He keeps pushing back Willy's title shot for another day until Willy drops him to achieve his money, fame and greatness without his teacher.

Frankie is craggy, tough as nails and set in his ways when Maggie Fitzgerald (Swank) comes along to knock him on his heals. She has gotten a late jump on her boxing career, but she shows tremendous promise and heart. She asks Frankie to train her to which he gruffly replies, "I don't train girls." Maggie doesn't slink away with her tail between her legs. She scraps together every last penny to get a membership at his ailing gym. She comes in to work the bag till past closing, hoping her tireless dedication will deteriorate Frankie's resolve. She comes from nothing and a spark for boxing is literally all she has to battle the demons of her wretched family and belittled self worth.

Million Dollar Baby Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hillary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel & Christina Cox Director: Clint Eastwood View the Trailer (Quicktime) Related Articles Top 10 Films of 2004 The Oscars: And the winner is... Email this article to a friend Curves Duluth Discover a Gym Where Women Can Change their Lives 30 Minutes at a Time www.curvesduluth.com Wicked Tickets Find Sold Out Theatre Tickets To the Hottest Shows on Broadway www.VandelayTickets.com NETFLIX - Rent Movies Only $11.99 a month. No Late Fees. Over 40,000 Titles. Free Trial. www.netflix.com

One of the more fascinating elements of the film is the relationship between Frankie and Maggie. Frankie was estranged from his daughter for some undisclosed reason. He writes her every week, only to have each letter find its way back into his mailbox stamped 'return to sender.' The connection between our two leads is undeniable, though for a second it's unclear what you are seeing. There is a flash of the romantic that is promptly buried as they become the daughter and father each had longed to have. The foundation of this relationship makes this movie once the second act begins.

When the movie turns, it's one violent sucker punch. You're just reeling in a daze, stunned by the course of events. This is also where the movie becomes great. It is gut wrenching in its intensity and emotion. It stares you dead in the eye and forces you to make a decision on something you don't want to make. Hillary Swank blooms like we saw in Boys Don't Cry, and Eastwood is a fine wine. He just keeps getting better with age, and after a string of directorial accomplishments like Unforgiven, Mystic River and now Million Dollar Baby, I have zero reservations saying he is the best director in Hollywood -- hands down.

Freeman's husky voice serves as narration in Baby as he has so eloquently in films like the Shawshank Redemption. Usually, I'd have a cut to make against the excess exposition, but his slow syrupy drawl adds something to the atmosphere of the film. While his performance as Eastwood's friend, gym manager and savvier half is very solid, I didn't think it rose to the level of Best Supporting Actor. That should have rightfully gone to Clive Owen in Closer. I think the Academy was busy righting some past wrongs with this pick, apologizing for overlooking him in stunning portrayals in the past.

I fit into the camp that found this film life affirming, and I also thought it had glints of fun and the inspirational. I actually looked up local boxing gyms the day after seeing this in the theatre, but decided getting my head smacked in goes above and beyond the call of a good workout. This film is a very careful portrayal of a sticky issue that could have sank this piece. Instead, it rose to the challenge and achieved the level of fine art. There are a few questions that linger at the end concerning Frankie that cut at this film's perfection, but it's more a scuff on the picture than a major flaw. Million Dollar Baby doesn't make life easy. There are times you will squirm in your seat, but it provides an immensely thought-provoking portrait that lingers long after the credits roll.

Buy or rent the film now. Million Dollar Baby was ranked as one of the best films of 2004 by PM Media Review. See what other films squeezed their way onto the list.