Million Dollar Baby: Hilary Swank transformed for Clint Eastwood

The actress transformed herself for the Oscar-winning boxing film, to be seen again this evening on C8.

In Million Dollar Babyshe plays a promising but raw boxer, taken under her wing by an old-fashioned trainer, who will try to take her to the top.

For this role that is both physical and overwhelming, Hilary Swank won her second Oscar for best actress in 2005, participating in the film’s harvest of Clint Eastwoodwinner of four awards including best film, best director and best supporting role for Morgan Freemanand also won the César for best foreign film.

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Adapted by the screenwriter and director Paul Haggis based on a short story by FX Toole, a former boxing trainer, Million Dollar Baby added one more success to the already very long list of classics signed by Clint Eastwoodwhich still experienced one of its peaks here, particularly in terms of critical reception, unanimous in welcoming its status as an instant classic.

First wrote in particular at the time: “The first impression that emerges from this twenty-fifth film of Clint Eastwood East correctness. Not one word too many, not one lack of taste to weigh down a story that gets to the point.”

Once again transformed on screen, Hilary Swank has grown physically thanks to intensive training to overcome some initial fears of Clint Eastwoodwho found her a little frail for the role.

With the help of the preparer Grant Robertsformer bodybuilding champion (who has a cameo in the film playing the trainer of Maggie’s rival, Bille “The Blue Bear” Osterman), Hilary Swank gained nearly ten kilos of muscle through daily sports sessions lasting five hours a day. Her training was so intense that she contracted a staphylococcus infection during her preparation, an infection she did not tell anyone about. Clint Eastwood for fear of losing his role.

This was not the case and her intense performance finally took its place at the top of the filmography of the actress, a fan of chameleon roles for which she does not hesitate to physically transform herself, from the flapper of Boys Don’t Cry (which earned her another Oscar for best actress in 2000) to the pioneer of The Homesman of Tommy Lee Jones.

The story of Million Dollar Baby : For many years, Frankie Dunn has managed a small boxing club. Helped by Eddie Dupris, his old accomplice and only true friend, he had some success as a trainer and enjoyed a favorable reputation, although it remained confidential. One day, Maggie Fitzgerald, a 30-year-old woman, walks through the door of his club to come and train under his direction. Reluctant about leading a woman on, Frankie tries to change her mind. But Maggie persists. Finally giving in to her tenacity, he ends up taking her under his wing. Maggie proves to be a champion, racking up victories and carving her way to glory…

Trailer :

Clint Eastwood the Last Legend: a documentary not to be missed