Nobody can ever say Hilary Swank takes on easy roles.

Without exception, Swank has chosen the most challenging roles she could find since her breakout performance in 1999’s Boys Don’t Cry. Some movies did not do as well at the box office, but that has never been Swank’s goal.

That is why she agreed to portray Maggie Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby. The fact that Clint Eastwood was directing and also starring in it was just a bonus.

From the moment the trailer was first unveiled, the movie had Oscar written all over it. Maggie Fitzgerald is a waitress in her 30s, past the prime of most boxers, none the less wanting the chance to learn the sport. She seeks the help of legendary boxing coach Frankie Dunn (Eastwood), but he is too proud to coach a female.

Eddie (Morgan Freeman), who works at Dunn’s gym, can’t ignore her determination and offers some tips. Eventually, Dunn agrees to help her, and she quickly rises to the top of the boxing world.

Now, here is where I won’t make the same mistake Larry King did. When the movie was still in theatres, King had the cast on the show and ruined the ending of the movie. There is a twist about two-thirds of the way through, but it would be unfair of me to discuss this, just in case you have not yet seen the movie.

But you have the chance to see Swank in her Oscar-winning role, since Million Dollar Baby is now on DVD. It’s a must-see, if not for the incredible acting of all three stars, than for the script; this is how intense every sports movie should be.

The DVD comes with a separate disc full of extras, and an addition one with the soundtrack.

About an hour of extras are on the second disc, including a cast discussion on female boxing, interviews, and another discussion with James Lipton.

4*






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