It won 4 Oscars and has just arrived on Prime Video: the film that was a huge success and is a must-see once in your life.

The arrival of classic films on streaming platforms has become a true feast for moviegoers. From one day to the next, titles that defined an era, and which perhaps could only be enjoyed in physical formats or through television broadcasts, are now just a click away. This phenomenon not only democratizes access to good cinema, but also offers a golden opportunity for new generations to discover gems they might otherwise never see.

Prime Video , in particular, has positioned itself as a key destination for these reruns, enriching its catalog with productions that have left an indelible mark on the history of the seventh art. And speaking of stellar additions, the platform has made a statement by adding to its offering a film that not only swept the Oscars gala, taking home four statuettes, but is also one of those works that leaves its mark and makes you reflect long after the credits roll.

This is none other than Million Dollar Baby , a film that transcends the sports genre to become a profound human drama. Directed by the incomparable Clint Eastwood in 2004, the story immerses the viewer in the arduous world of boxing, but does so with an unusual sensitivity. The plot revolves around Frankie Dunn (played by Eastwood himself), a seasoned and lonely trainer who has seen it all in the ring . His life takes an unexpected turn when Maggie Fitzgerald (an impressive Hilary Swank ) bursts into his gym.

Maggie, a 31-year-old woman with unwavering determination and a steely dream, wants Frankie to train her to become a professional boxer. Despite Dunn's initial reluctance, they forge a bond that goes beyond the almost paternal, coach-student relationship, especially since Frankie is burdened by a distant relationship with his own daughter.

Joining them on this journey is Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris ( Morgan Freeman ), their beloved friend and former boxer who narrates the story in his signature deep, thoughtful voice. Maggie's rise in women's boxing is meteoric, proving her talent and fighting spirit. However, a tragic and devastating turn in a key fight changes everything, forcing Frankie and Maggie to face unimaginable choices and a moral dilemma that will test the limits of their relationship and their very humanity.

Million Dollar Baby's acclaim was unanimous, not only from critics but also at awards ceremonies. The film won four Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director for Clint Eastwood, Best Actress for the striking Hilary Swank, and Best Supporting Actor for the always impeccable Morgan Freeman. Added to this were two Golden Globes for Eastwood and Swank, and the César Award for Best Foreign Language Film, among many other accolades that cemented its status as a masterpiece.

Behind the scenes, the production wasn't without its fascinating anecdotes. Paul Haggis's script, based on stories by FX Toole (a pseudonym for Jerry Boyd), took years to see the light of day and was rejected by several studios, even with Eastwood already attached to the project. Warner Bros., having budget concerns, only approved it when Lakeshore Entertainment agreed to co-finance it. Furthermore, Clint Eastwood, known for his efficiency, shot the film in less than 40 days, a record time for a production of this magnitude.

Hilary Swank's dedication is legendary. To play Maggie, she gained nearly 20 pounds of muscle mass in just 90 days, following a brutal diet and training regimen that included drinking flaxseed oil and waking up in the middle of the night to drink protein shakes. She even suffered a serious foot infection during filming, which she hid from the crew so as not to slow down production, demonstrating a resilience worthy of her character.

Beyond the awards and anecdotes, Million Dollar Baby is a film that confronts viewers with universal themes such as overcoming challenges, family, loss, and dignity, all told in Eastwood's signature straightforward style. Without a doubt, it's a film worth seeing and is now available on Prime Video for those looking for a story that touches their soul.