Million Dollar Baby Reignites Interest in Boxing Tales

Posted on January 14, 2005

Probable Oscar contender Million Dollar Baby written by Paul Haggis, is based on some of the stories in Rope Burns, F. X. Toole's collection of tales from the boxing ring, which will be reissued by Ecco this month. The Clint Eastwood film stars Hillary Swank as a 32 year-old waitress who wants to be a fighter; Clint Eastwood is the crusty old gym owner who can help her with her dream, and Morgan Freeman is the former fighter who decides to help someone else go for the big prize. The buzz is amazing for the film, which is also reviving interest in the book. Be warned, it's a tearjerker; this is Hilary Swank's best work since Boys Don't Cry.