Chris Nicholson's Writing Weblog
January 10, 2005 • Monday
This weekend I read F.X. Toole's short story "Million $$$ Baby." The story is the basis of Clint Eastwood's new boxing film Million Dollar Baby, and is part of Toole's book Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner.
Toole's only published book (he was 70 years old when it was released), Rope Burns has passed the critical tests of some of America's toughest reviewers: The New York Times Book Review, The New Yorker and Washington Post Book World have all lauded the prose of the new writer. Unfortunately Toole passed away at 72 before finishing his second book, which was to be his first novel.
I've been reading the stories in Rope Burns on and off since last spring, when Michael McNulty, a friend of mine who writes magazine articles and film scripts from his home in Los Angeles, recommended it. Mike and I trade book and film recommendations so regularly that it's become a pillar of our friendship. His suggestions have yet to disappoint me.
I hurried to read "Million $$$ Baby" before seeing the film in theatres. I'm interested to see what Eastwood, as director, and Paul Haggis, the script writer, have added to the short story for its translation into a feature-length film.
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