Holiday Movie Preview 2004

Million Dollar Baby

Muhammad Ali isn't the only one who can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Clint Eastwood is also pretty quick on his feet as the director and star of this down-and-dirty boxing tale, adapted from a collection of short stories written by long-time boxing manager Jerry Boyd, who was 70 by the time he got published. As a director, Eastwood's moods have flitted from the treacly romance of Bridges of Madison County to the bleakness of Mystic River, but here he's in the solid Western territory of an underdog taking on the establishment.

Frankie Dunn (Eastwood) is a retired prizefighter, estranged from his daughter, who reluctantly agrees to train a young female boxer (Hilary Swank) who has enough ambition for both of them. If you thought Swank transformed herself for Boys Don't Cry, wait until you see her buffed up to get in the ring. Her brassy Maggie Fitzgerald has something to prove, and Swank is already getting lots of Oscar buzz for her emotional portrayal.

next : The Aviator