Million Dollar Baby (film): excellent movie that deserves the praise
I don't know if this has changed in the states yet, but when i was still living there people rarely went to a movie because of the director. Our theater decisions were almost always determined by who the star was rather than the person who is behind the overall creative decisions - which I have learned in my time on this planet is far more important than the actor for the most part.
However, when you combine a fantastic director with fantastic actors, you end up with solid gold, and that is precisely what happened with Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood plays the role of an underappreciated boxing trainer named Frankie Dunn, a man who is very set in his ways and runs a failing boxing camp. He isn't terribly interested in training a Missouri waitress named Maggie (played by Hillary Swank) who comes into his gym one day but she is persistent and stubborn and he eventually takes her on and she ends up impressing him and her complete dedication eventually also wins his heart in a father-figure type way.
Is there anyone out there that doesn't think that Morgan Freeman narrating a movie makes it much better? Well that is what happens in this movie. I think that pretty much any film that Freeman narrates ends up being a blockbuster. I challenge anyone out there to prove this theory wrong. Morgan's character of Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris, Frankie's assistant and elderly former boxer who was blinded in one eye in a fight, is perfectly played (unsurprisingly) by Freeman.
This film is incredibly well-written and is damn near perfect. It is incredibly moving and touching and will almost certainly make even the most hardcore tough-guy a bit misty-eyed. This movie will haunt you. Even now as I am writing this I am seriously considering watching it yet again tonight because it is just that good.
With a budget of merely $30 million it ended up grossing more than $200 million and won 4 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actress in a leading role, and Best Director (Eastwood's 2nd.) It also one a ton of awards around the world but was snubbed by MTV - but I don't think anyone really gives a s**t what MTV thinks anymore (or then.) It was also in theaters for more than 6 months which has to be some kind of a record.
If i was to make a list of 10 films that a person absolutely must see in their lives, this would be on that list for sure. I can find absolutely nothing wrong with it, not even a little bit of negative criticism will come from this guy. It is damn near perfect and if you are one of the few people on the planet that somehow managed to not see it you should rectify this situation as soon as possible.
It would be difficult to imagine a more perfect trio of performers the likes of Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, and Morgan Freeman in their respective roles in the emotionally-charged "Million Dollar Baby."
My favorite scenes were the early sequences in which Maggie (Swank) visits the dowdy boxing gym and co-opts Eastwood's crusty boxing trainer Frankie into becoming her mentor. Along with the veteran, retired boxer Eddie, played by Freeman, the performances were as electric as the Ali shuffle.
In the overall arc of the story of "Million Dollar Baby," there were three extraneous subplots: (1) Frankie's visits to church and his talks with the priest; (2) the story of the mentally-challenged young man named Danger, who appears in the gym and is taunted by the boxers; and (3) Maggie's family members introduced in two scenes filled with such vulgarity that much of the film's hard-earned credibility was lost. Not only would the film have worked effectively without the subplots, it would have been a much better film without them.
While Eastwood's direction was superb, much credit should also go to the designers, especially the stylish work with lighting. I cannot recall a film as dimly lit as this one, and the subdued lighting contributed substantially to the characters and mood evoked in this sensitive film. The three main performances were standouts. But this film was also a very successful team effort.
@gooddream This is a fantastic movie. I have seen it many times and own it on DVD. Hilary Swank really buffed up to play the character of Maggie and she portrayed a boxer so well. She is an underestimated actress and underrated when it comes to film. Clint Eastwood has proven to be a dynamic director, and well, what bad thing can you possibly say about Morgan Freeman? His movies are almost always excellent and he brings this film together for me.
This was a great review without giving away any spoilers and for anyone reading this, @gooddream is correct, this is a must-see!
Has to be the best movie I've seen in years.
If you're planning to watch, keep this in mind: this isn't a typical boxing movie where an underdog rises to glory. This movie is something else. It is a masterpiece with different messages and broken characters.
And Morgan Freeman's narration is magic... completely out of this world. His character was a favourite too..
Every single time I watch this movie I always fast forward the scenes with Jay Baruchel as “Danger”. Such a horrible, unnecessary and over the top character that makes this go from a perfect movie to a NEAR perfect movie. I remember the opening night showing so clearly. Forced my mother and grandmother when I was 13 to see it with me. Sold out showing and we couldn’t get seats together. I sat up front, my grandmother a few rows behind me and my mom in the back right. I could actually hear them crying amidst the sound of everyone else crying. All of us were drenched in tears and eyes were red when once we had walked out the theatre. Such a powerful experience.
Im actually a bit jealous that you got to see it in theaters. I bet there wasn't a dry eye in the house. :)
The film carries a very deep meaning. But this film is not just about boxing, this film is about life. Such an unfair, cruel and at times very heavy. Life is a big ring where everyone is fighting. And some come out victorious, and others break down and lose. Everyone on this ring is a fighter who fights his own personal enemy. And whether he wins or loses depends only on him alone. Yes, only from him alone. This life is so cruel, and people are so cynical that a person can rely solely on himself alone. Sometimes even the closest will not support you when you need it. That's the main character left without the support of loved ones decided to fight to the end, no matter what. She has been a lifelong fighter since her childhood - and she has an iron rod that does not allow her to bend under the blows of fate that does not let her break. But that's why life is good, that even in spite of all its hardships, there are beautiful things in it, such as love, faith and friendship. And only they do not allow the world to finally become bogged down in despondency and cruelty.
The film, which proved to be a sports drama, in fact proved to be the self-immolation of Clint Eastwood, the search for the meaning of life and the answer to many questions of morality and morality. The film, although very heavy, to the impossibility, but I did not have the strength to turn it off, I wanted to wait for something bright and kind, but not in the case of Clint Eastwood ...
I was both heartbroken and satisfied at the end of this movie. Great acting, beautiful dialog, and and a perfect cast.
Clint eastwood as director of this film was excelent a good masterpiece !
Hiii.. Gooddream
Great Post with Great Information.
Great movie review... This is a truely fantastic move ,its got love heart break and in the end the ultimate mistake to care for some one so much.you will real wish you did not teach them what you new.
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