Think of it as "Rocky" with a twist! "Million Dollar Baby" is the knockout film directed by Clint Eastwood, and starring Clint, Morgan Freeman and Hilary Swank -- all of whom were just nominated for Golden Globes.

In the movie, a buff Hilary plays a struggling female boxer, a role that required the Oscar-winning actress to pack on 19 pounds of muscle.

"It's the most challenging thing I've ever done physically and mentally," Hilary told our Jon Kelley. "I can say my back doesn't look like [it does in the poster] anymore because I am not training four to four-and-a-half hours, six days a week, which I did for about three months."

"She has a work ethic that's unparalled," Clint confirmed.

But there's more to this movie than boxing, and it's receiving rave reviews for its touching story outside of the ring. "I think what interested me was the fact that there was a love story and a person who finds a sort of surrogate daughter," Clint reflected.

To which Morgan added, "The story itself, I think, is about courage and the act of making this movie I think is courageous."

And while many believe Swank's performance may lead to her second Oscar, she insisted that her money is on Clint: "I think his work in this is the best he's ever done in a movie. I think this is his best performance to date, and he is 74. It gives hope to us all."

"Million Dollar Baby" goes into limited release today, and comes out swinging in theaters everywhere December 21st.