'Million Dollar Baby' rises against competition

The only negative thing to say about Clint Eastwood's newly released masterpiece, "Million Dollar Baby," is that, unfortunately, this may be the summit of this master's career. We will never see another film with quite this depth of truth, brilliance of acting and beauty of production from anyone.

Among all of the amazing films that came out in 2004, which has been the best year for film that I can remember, "Million Dollar Baby" manages, even within this distinguished lot, to be sui generis.

Grizzled trainer Frankie Dunn, played by Eastwood himself, has just lost his last great pugilist to a rival promoter and faces the prospect of sinking into his golden years estranged from his daughter and failing in his career. Raised in a trailer park by abusive parents, the irrepressible Maggie Fitzgerald (Academy Award-winning Hillary Swank of "Boys Don't Cry" and "Insomnia") demands that "boss" agree to train her, despite his strict prejudice against taking on women. By sheer persistence, and with a little help from Frankie's assistant Eddie "Scrap-iron" Dupris (Morgan Freeman), she succeeds not only in persuading him but also in becoming one of the league's top boxers; the stoic Dunn learns far more from his trust than she from him. But only as her career fully matures do the two learn the true meaning of her mysterious Gaelic name, given to her by Frankie, which becomes the constant refrain of Maggie's fans: "Macushla".

"Million Dollar Baby" is stunning in its depth and breadth. While superficially it celebrates the meteoric ascent of an ambitious boxer, the film actually criticizes this often barbaric sport. The true themes of the picture are unrelated to boxing. From exploring the basic nature of paternal love, to exposing the "soft" forms of abuse within families that we often dismiss, to investigating the conflict between compassion and the strictures of religious morality, "Million Dollar Baby" thoughtfully touches on a plethora of material by showing and persuading, never telling or preaching.

Eastwood's brilliant, subtle script and his flawless directorial job are the best of a distinguished career that has included "Mystic River" and "Unforgiven." In sum, this is a film that no one should miss and that all will love. A classic has been born and Princetonians are lucky enough to have it playing for only $6.50 with a PUID at the Princeton Garden Theatres in town at 4, 6:45, and 9:30 p.m. for the next few weekends and at 6:30 p.m. on weeknights.