I was suprised, I thought Million Dollar Baby was going to be a comedy. But it wasn't. Hillary Swank did an excellent job in a great role. Clint Eastwood an Morgan Freedman were both great. Where the film maintained a low-key additude it was a great success. However, Hilary's family was way too much of an obvious stereo-type. Also, Hilary's final opponent was like-wise so over the top that she appeared to have come right from one of those goofy 'Rocky' Stallone movies. Yet, neither of these two short-comings could greatly diminish my appreciation for this fine film. Moreover, where the film seems to end a new story develops. Now I understand why this movie hit such a nerve with the public at large. This new story had a plot that paralleled a major national controversy that spilled across the front pages earlier this year. Clint Eastwood did not spare us the true drama that this controversy has for those most intimately effected. Nor did he wuss-out and take an easy neutral stance. That alone was worth the price of admission.
If you saw Hillary in 'Boys Don't Cry', that's very similar to the Hillary you'll see in 'Million Dollar Baby'. A girl who has to explore the other side. If just to see and feel life from that angle. There are hard-nosed conservative values expressed in this film that you especially seamonster66 might find somewhat offensive. But I think it's only a set-up. I think Clint intentionally wants to make Mainstream America comfortable, so that he can take them for a little ride.
hmmm I'll take your word for it. I liked Boys Don't Cry as a serious cinematic experience, but when i left the theater I thought I was going to get shot. It was a pretty disturbing film
I liked Million Dollar Baby a lot. At a moment, I thought it was going to turn out very predictable, but it didn't, and that's why it's not 'just a movie'. Clint has done a great job, also as an actor. I find that as an actor, he improves with the years. Also Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman showed great acting skills. One of my favourite movies of the year.
I boycot this movie, don't exactly know why. Maybe because this movie took all the oscars which belonged to the Aviator. And Americans must not make movies about euthanasia, Dutch people can do that much better Americans and controversy... not!
oh my god this movie made me cry like a little bitch! I thought Hilary Swank was amazing, as were Clint Eastwood n Morgan Freeman.. super movie.. I wanted to beat the hell outta her family in the movie tho..
In retrospect, I wasn't overly impressed with the plot, which, if you think about it, is fairly prosaic and trite. However, the actors put everything they had into it, and Eastwood is a remarkable director. He has a wonderful talent for painting pictures with light and shadow, and he really knows how to frame a shot. The end result was a work of art.
Mystic River (another Clint Eastwood flick) resonated with me a little more, and was a better film overall IMO, although MDB was great as well.
I just couldnt get into it. It was your typical boxing drama. I'm not saying its a bad film, I just dont get what all the hype is about. The boxing scenes were good though.
Luckilly, because I live in Greece and I don't watch much TV, I miss out on all the hype, but I've lived abroad and can understand what you're talking about. Sometimes they raise our expectations beyond what the film actually offers to each individual. At first I thought you didn't like it because it was depressing. Some people get put off by this kind of drama. My theory is that they consider it an invasion of their feelings.
