Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Clint Eastwood | ... | Frankie Dunn | |
Hilary Swank | ... | Maggie Fitzgerald | |
Morgan Freeman | ... | Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris | |
Jay Baruchel | ... | Danger Barch | |
Mike Colter | ... | Big Willie Little | |
![]() |
Lucia Rijker | ... | Billie 'The Blue Bear' |
Brían F. O'Byrne | ... | Father Horvak (as Brían O'Byrne) | |
Anthony Mackie | ... | Shawrelle Berry | |
Margo Martindale | ... | Earline Fitzgerald | |
Riki Lindhome | ... | Mardell Fitzgerald | |
Michael Peña | ... | Omar | |
Benito Martinez | ... | Billie's Manager | |
Bruce MacVittie | ... | Mickey Mack | |
![]() |
David Powledge | ... | Counterman at Diner |
Joe D'Angerio | ... | Cut Man (as Joe d'Angerio) |
Wanting to learn from the best, aspiring boxer Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) wants Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) to train her. At the outset, he flatly refuses saying he has no interest in training a girl. Frankie leads a lonely existence, alienated from his only daughter and having few friends. Maggie's rough around the edges, but shows a lot of grit in the ring and he eventually relents. Maggie not only proves to be the boxer he always dreamed of having under his wing, but a friend who fills the great void he's had in his life. Maggie's career skyrockets, but an accident in the ring leads her to ask Frankie for one last favor. Written by garykmcd
Saw "Million Dollar Baby" in Manhattan last night. Clint Eastwood, one of the all-time most famous actors -- and directors -- has more than enough money where he could choose to pull the strings on block-buster, mindless action pictures, ala Jerry Bruckheimer, or comic books. Or, hell, in his twilight years he could just lay back and enjoy his millions. But no. He has chosen instead to make quieter, lower-budget, heart-felt, character driven films like "The Unforgiven" "True Crime" "Mystic River" and now Million Dollar Baby. And the world is a better place for it. Eastwood uses his multiple talents to make films that have something valuable to say. In the emotionally powerful, Million Dollar Baby, he tells an allegorical tale of boxing to subtly express themes of hope, redemption, sacrifice, persistence, and belief in one's self. The movie emphasizes that failure is a more honorable and personally fulfilling trait than never having tried, while also frowning upon laziness and leeching off others. But see the movie and judge for yourself. I personally consider great films as the ones where I leave the theater with a better understanding of human nature, or a desire to improve the world by even a little bit. Eastwood's latest more than succeeds on those counts.