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MOVIE

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Directed by Clint Eastwood•2h 12m•Published Mar 25, 2025•Episode length 3h 22m
Episode 271 - Million Dollar Baby (w/ BFF of the BFE: Shai Bergerfroind)
Drama

Top cast

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Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Frankie Dunn
Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank
Maggie Fitzgerald
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman
Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris
Jay Baruchel
Jay Baruchel
Danger Barch
Mike Colter
Mike Colter
Big Willie Little
Lucia Rijker
Lucia Rijker
Billie 'The Blue Bear'
Brían F. O'Byrne
Brían F. O'Byrne
Father Horvak
Anthony Mackie
Anthony Mackie
Shawrelle Berry
Margo Martindale
Margo Martindale
Earline Fitzgerald
Riki Lindhome
Riki Lindhome
Mardell Fitzgerald

Director

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Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Director
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Overview

Despondent over a painful estrangement from his daughter, trainer Frankie Dunn isn't prepared for boxer Maggie Fitzgerald to enter his life. But Maggie's determined to go pro and to convince Dunn and his cohort to help her.

Show notes

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"Mo cuishle." Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Liam (B-Tech Kev & Megs are off hitting the heavy bag) – as we're heading to The Hit Pit to step into the ring for a tale of grit, heartbreak, and emotional uppercuts in Million Dollar Baby (2004). Your prizefighting pair, Ian and Liam are joi…

Read full show notes

"Mo cuishle." Join your favorite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian and Liam (B-Tech Kev & Megs are off hitting the heavy bag) – as we're heading to The Hit Pit to step into the ring for a tale of grit, heartbreak, and emotional uppercuts in Million Dollar Baby (2004). Your prizefighting pair, Ian and Liam are joined by our own special trainer, BFF of the BFE: Shai Bergerfroind to teach us the ropes of this Clint Eastwood critical darling. We’re trading in our cornfields for boxing gloves and diving into our 271st episode as we discuss:

  • How Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, and Morgan Freeman all deliver Oscar-worthy punches.

  • Can this movie still pack a punch if you're not a boxing fan?

  • Is this a sports movie or another relationship movie using sports as a backdrop?

  • Was the emotional KO in the final act earned or below the belt?

  • How Million Dollar Baby jabs at themes of ambition, identity, and the cost of chasing glory.

  • What is the price of excellence?  What is the cost of guilt?

  • How crucial is the final bell – does the ending seal the legacy?

  • Did Maggie Fitzgerald get robbed by fate? What about Frankie’s corner man heartbreak?

  • Who does Shai think had a vendetta against Clint Eastwood?  Who do they think Shai may have as a 2nd persona?

  • Is there a certain type of viewer that just can't deal with the unexpected ending

  • Whether Million Dollar Baby is the undisputed Best Film Ever.