This is one of the best movies that I have seen in a long time: just stellar in every sense of the word. My opinion is slightly tainted, weighed down with my own stalking ghosts that surfaced while viewing this moving tale. Nevertheless, sans a completely objective view, I would argue that there are few cinematic offerings of the past quarter century that are better than Million Dollar Baby. While the sum of all the performances succeeded in touching on everything from anger to joy, despair to triumph, emptiness to abundance, Hillary Swank’s singular portrayal of Maggie Fitzgerald shone like a beacon of glowing hope.

Maggie, the kindhearted, determined trailer trash from Missouri, trains for three years before approaching Frankie (Clint) and asking to become his trainee. Sharply rebuffed, Maggie continues to show up at the gym, improving ever-so-slightly thanks to Eddie (Morgan), Frankie’s buddy and former fighter. Frankie finally and reluctantly agrees to give Maggie a shot. Almost immediately, the two bond, filling the tremendous holes left by an unresponsive daughter and an unsupportive, leech-like family. With the mixture of Frankie’s training, Eddie’s faith, and Maggie’s unflappable spirit, the latter quickly rises through the ranks of women boxing and to the hearts of everyone she meets. Unfortunately, Maggie’s success is short-lived and the relationship between she and Frankie is tested beyond any foreseeable limits.

Not to be totally overshadowed by Hillary's performance were the stellar offerings from Clint (also the director) as the cynical boxing trainer who fails with his own daughter, but finds repentance within his relationship with Maggie and Morgan, as the calming spirit that simultaneously cleans the gym and offers brilliant advice to every lost soul that enters the Hit Pit gym.

By no stretch of the imagination is this, a boxing movie. It is instead, a heartwarming and entertaining story that is at once hopeful and sad to incredibly disturbing levels. The movie touches on a range of emotions that will leave you feeling drained, but in actuality has succeeded in completely filling you up with something that is indeed wonderful and beautiful. For many who watch Million Dollar Baby, the deeply personal subject matter will pose challenges regarding moral issues and the boundaries of responsibility to others. If it makes you think, debate, wonder, then it’s worth seeing.