Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning boxing drama, Million Dollar Baby, recently marked the 20th anniversary of its 2004 theatrical release.

If you have not watched the film, please stop reading now. I should not have to issue a spoiler warning in 2024 but I do feel that it is necessary to do so for those who have not watched the film.

It’s not often that Eastwood is a quadruple-threat in front and behind the camera. Eastwood took home a pair of Oscars–not for his acting or musical score–for both directing and producing for the second time in his career. He was also nominated for his acting work in the film. Hilary Swank earned an Oscar for Best Actress while Morgan Freeman took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Other nominations were for the film editing and adapted screenplay.

Million Dollar Baby tells the story of Margaret “Maggie” Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), boxing trainer Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood), and gym assistant/former boxer Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris (Morgan Freeman). Maggie somehow manages to get to Frankie because he’s not the type of trainer to usually train women. She shows up daily at the gym, just wanting a chance. Maggie succeeds at the sport when Frankie finally gives her a chance. She fights in the women’s amateur boxing division while Frankie bribes a number of managers to let Maggie fight their trainee fighters. Eventually, Maggie makes enough money to buy a house for her mom, Earline Fitzgerald (Margo Martindale). Despite this, her mother is upset at what the gift means for her welfare checks. There is no giving up on the dream, not until a terrible accident leaves Maggie with a broken neck and dependent on a ventilator.

It’s hard to discuss the film without touching on the back half of it. Honestly, it’s heartbreaking as it focuses not so much on Maggie’s recovery but of her want to end her life. Frankie blames only himself for Maggie’s injuries. He gets angry with Scrap for no reason, if not to accept the blame at the time. He eventually apologizes. Meanwhile, one gets this sense of selfishness whenever Maggie’s mom appears on the screen. We knew from earlier in the film how she felt the house would impact her welfare status. Now that Maggie is dependent on a ventilator, her mom wants to have the assets transferred. Maggie is having none of this, threatening to call the authorities. Doctors have to amputate Maggie’s leg because of a bad infection. You really feel for her, going through all this pain.

To say that the pain becomes unbearable is not an understatement. My understanding is that one cannot feel anything when they are paralyzed. However, this does not stop Maggie from wanting to end her life. Unfortunately, Frankie is not about to concede her wishes. Not yet, anyway. After consulting with Father Horvak (Brían F. O’Byrne) relents, not knowing that Scrap is watching him from nearby. Was this the right decision? It isn’t for me to answer. In any event, Frankie never steps into the gym again. Meanwhile, Scrap writes a letter to Frankie’s daughter at the end of the film.

If Hilary Swank did not win the Oscar, her performance would still be described as Oscar-worthy. She put in the work, too, having put on some 19 pounds of muscle while training. Twenty years later, it is hard to imagine anyone else in the role.

Morgan Freeman brings his trademark gravitas to the film. As James Lipton says, the actor “can do everything while he apparently is doing nothing.” Of course, this advantage can have its disadvantages. But in any event, it’s one of the reasons why Freeman won an Oscar. It’s not something that can be taught. Obviously, anybody can try their best to learn things but there are some inherent gifts that we are just born with.

It is next to impossible to discuss this film without discussing some of what it entails. I’m not even sure if spoiler warnings truly existed in late 2004, early 2005. Regardless, this is one of those films that one must question whether they should discuss the pertinent aspects or keep to boxing. I remember going into the film thinking it was a Rocky-esque boxing drama, not a film touching on right-to-die. When it comes to the latter, everyone has their own feelings and my guess is that it’s much like the political divide in the country. I’m certainly not going to tell someone what to do but that I would seek out counseling from the rabbinic clergy in my life if it ever came to being in this situation.

Million Dollar Baby is emotionally gut-punching and holds up as one of the best films of the 21st century.

DIRECTOR: Clint Eastwood
SCREENWRITER: Paul Haggis
CAST: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Anthony Mackie, Jay Baruchel, Mike Colter, Lucia Rijker, Brían F. O’Byrne, Margo Martindale, Riki Lindhome, Michael Peña

Warner Bros. released Million Dollar Baby in theaters on December 5, 2004. Grade: 5/5

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