On DVD: Million Dollar Baby

In 1992 Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman appeared in "Unforgiven", the film was a brilliantly told story of friendship, maturity and purpose in life. The fact that "Unforgiven" told that story in the form of a good old fashion western did nothing to take away from the performances and masterful story telling. The exact same thing can be said of Eastwood's and Freeman's latest offering "Million Dollar Baby". The critics of this film are right, it is not about boxing just like "Unforgiven" is not about cowboys shooting each other. MDB is a wonderfully written, directed and acted film about life struggles and the search for one's purpose.

Hillary Swank gives a perfect performance as a the female boxer, Freeman is again perfect in his role as Eastwood's sidekick and Eastwood is fantastic. Like other films directed by Eastwood lately ( Mystic River, Bloodwork) there is a particularly dark side to the film that while well done may make some viewers uneasy. ( Nothing could be darker than Mystic River though) Every Oscar handed out for MDB was well deserved.