Million Dollar Baby (DVD, 2005, Full Frame)

Most likely Clint Eastwood lifted the title for his over-rated, shamelessly mawkish film from the popular song, inspired by the late lamented five and dime Woolworth stores. Just for a bit more background the 1931 vintage tune was entitled "I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five and Ten Cent Store)," with Lyrics: by Mort Dixon and Billy Rose, Music: by Harry Warren.

Well, with that said, as far as the movie is concerned, here goes. The story started out far too slowly, the tour and accompanying fight scenes were not developed sufficiently and therefore did not prove effective in their ultimate purpose. In other words the sporadic and disjointed "career" she had did not make me believe that this character truly achieved anything meaningful in her life.

Her family was comprised of rank amateur actors who gave caricature performances, as did the "retarded" delusional gym-fighter hopeful. Moreover, instead of eliciting sympathy, the characters and situations meant to do so left me completely cold. When I wish to feel heartbroken and inconsolable about the plight of a fellow human being I'll buy a box of Kleenex and watch that compassionate and utterly amazing study in abject misery "The Elephant Man."

I rate this movie below average rather than poor because Hilary Swank's performance was well crafted even if the script was not. After all is said and done I had no interest in viewing the special feature disc that came with the movie...