Review of Million Dollar Baby (2004) by Daniel A — 10 Oct 2011

There's no denying Eastwood can do it all, but I feel that in this instance many viewers allowed their great love and respect for the cinematic veteran to blind their judgement of this flawed movie.

Million Dollar Baby has its moments but ultimately this is a maudlin, corny and often dull affair. Its emotions may run deep, but the poorly paced screenplay and sports-movie sentimentalism rarely create the spark needed to allow such emotion to properly impact on the viewer.

The performances are good, but again don't seem to have the impact on me that they did for others. This is a competent and well-made film from the great director, but certainly not the Oscar-worthy masterpiece that many regard it to be.