The Dryden will screen Million Dollar Baby (Clint Eastwood, U.S. 2004, 132 min., 35mm) preceded by an introduction by, and followed by a discussion with author Lester D. Friedman, as part of the Eastwood as Director series.

"Girlie, tough ain't enough." Eastwood's memorable line (which provides the title for the new book of essays about him) encapsulates the longevity of his savvy, intelligent, artistic, and, yes, sensitive, career as a director. In this film, Eastwood plays an aging boxing trainer who is reluctant to take a female boxer under his wing. When Maggie (Hilary Swank) finally convinces him to train her, however, they both realize that the other could fill a hole that has been left in their lives. Winner of Academy Awards for Best Picture, Director, Actress, and Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman).

[source: George Eastman Museum calendar, 2018-Oct-29]