Like an experienced fighter, Million Dollar Baby doesn't come out swinging. Instead it takes its time - choosing to fight smart and save the KO for the very last round. As in last year's Mystic River, which he also directed, Clint Eastwood continues to grapple with issues of loss and regret, choice and consequence. 

Eastwood and screenwriter Paul Haggis, take a simple short story from boxing manager and cut man, Jerry Boyd (pen name F.X. Toole), and layer it subtly with emotion. Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) wants desperately to be a professional fighter and is convinced that Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) is the only person who can train her. When Frankie's star boxer Big Willie Little (Mike Colter), leaves him for another manager, he reluctantly takes the 31 year-old female fighter under his wing. He and long time friend Eddie 'Scrap-Iron' Dupris (Morgan Freeman) mold Maggie into a true fighter. 

Eventually, Maggie becomes a substitute for Frank own estranged daughter. A questioning Catholic (who drives his parish priest crazy) Frank writes his daughter faithfully every week. And just as faithfully, his letters are returned always unopened. Likewise, Frank becomes a father figure for Maggie, who's real family could be the poster children for poor trailer trash.

At first glance, Million Dollar Baby might seem like Rocky with a Girl or Girlfight but this is a different story. Without giving too much away, things suddenly get very complicated for both fighter and coach.

Eastwood slowly builds up to his quiet and unexpected climax, a pace that will make people looking for fast action more than a little restless. Eastwood, as an actor, isn't one for showy displays of emotion. If anything, he's often in danger of underplaying but here his quiet anguish works for him and is complimented by the heart and intensity of Hilary Swank's performance. Maggie is a woman fighting for her life. 

I think fight fans will be impressed with the authenticity of the fight scenes. Swank impressively bulked up without overdoing it and is a credible fighter (okay, a series of first round knockouts probably isn't that believable but the actual fights and the choreography are). As a fighter, she is fearless and isn't afraid to take a beating. 

Eastwood and Haggis like to leave a lot of things unsaid, allowing the actor to flesh out the details in the performance, which works most of the time. However, I think I would have had a better understanding for Frank's inner torment if they had mentioned or even alluded to what could have happened to destroy his relationship with his daughter. It's an obvious omission.

The three principle actors, Eastwood, Swank and Freeman carry this movie and as impressive as Eastwood and Swank's chemistry is, Eastwood and Freeman enjoy a casual banter and comfort that comes with decades of friendship. Freeman narrates. Eastwood makes the wise decision to dramatically scale back the narration in the film's third act where it would have felt obtrusive and overbearing.

Unexpectedly moving and thoughtful, Million Dollar Baby is a winner by unanimous decision.