Million Dollar Baby (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Million Dollar Baby' is a sports drama directed by & starring Clint Eastwood. 2 retired trainers/players, Frankie & Eddie (Clint, Morgan Freeman) who run an L.A. gym are caught off guard when 31 yr. old waitress, Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), approaches them with her dream of becoming a boxer. She'll attempt to show these old dogs that she has some tricks up her sleeve. Her dream may well become a reality. But everyone will be caught off guard by what happens in the film's 3rd Act. As good as Sideways is as 2004's Best Comedy, 'MDB' is practically as good as this year's Best Drama. This film isn't as compelling as other sports dramas I've seen. But it's rich, sensitive story (acted brilliantly by this trio of thespians) will reel you in.
Maggie is determined to rail against her trashy, dysfunctional upbringing & do something for herself (while also being successful at it). Frankie has spent his whole life training incredible 'male' fighters. He tries to deter her in any way he can, but she's persuasively insistent. Knowing he's losing an uphill battle, he acquiesces to her desire to fight. He teaches her his most important rule along the way: to always protect yourself. With a greedy mom & dad not around, Maggie is attracted to Frankie as a father-figure. Similarly, Frankie is estranged from his own daughter and figuratively adopts Maggie as his own. With time, Maggie starts to become quite the boxer. Eddie knows Frankie better than anyone else & knows how hurt Frankie is by not having a relationship with his actual daughter, Katie.
Under Frankie's tutelage, Maggie's able to find some moderate success at fighting. She's ecstatic, he's thrilled to find some meaning in life, and her family is awfully happy to receive the checks that she sends them, back home. A huge match is set up in Vegas where Maggie will go toe-to-toe with women's welterweight champ, Billie 'the Blue Bear'. Known for her brutally foul play, Billie illegally attacks Maggie & she's sent flying towards the ropes. For spoiler purposes, I'll simply add that Maggie is severely injured & the tone of the rest of the movie changes for good. Initially enraged at this 'incident', Frankie responds as any father would. But his tune changes when he realizes that Maggie needs him now more than ever (not as an angry teacher, but as concerned confidante & guardian).
Disgusted that he let his emotions get in the way (by even allowing Maggie to train in the 1st place), Frankie descends into a dark hole of frustration and regret. How could he have let this happen? But how could he not have let her have a chance to shine, as well? Maggie's wacko family (including her mom, played cruelly by Margo Martindale ... ooh, I'd like to belt her one) visits her in the hospital, but their true colors come through. They're only out for themselves. Frankie is all Maggie's got, and vice-versa. The conclusion of the film is quietly powerful. With my stomach in knots, I left the theater in a daze at what I'd just witnessed.
I wouldn't call what happens to be a complete tragedy, but I wouldn't call it lively or uplifting, either. Awful things occur. But they had to happen to get the overall honest effect of the film. 'MDB' almost falls into an overtly solemn, melancholy trap. It starts on a positive note & ends on a mellow, heart wrenching one ... though, it's not without a sense of hope, either. The script is exceptional. The story is unique. Themes of faith, loss, and father-daughter relationships carry the film (without falling prey to gooey sentimentality). Swank deserves another Oscar for her poignant performance as Maggie. Eastwood is a directorial genius. And Morgan Freeman (who also narrates) impresses as Frankie/Maggie's cohort. Maggie & Frankie's bond transforms their lives, and I'm glad to have experienced it.
Maggie is determined to rail against her trashy, dysfunctional upbringing & do something for herself (while also being successful at it). Frankie has spent his whole life training incredible 'male' fighters. He tries to deter her in any way he can, but she's persuasively insistent. Knowing he's losing an uphill battle, he acquiesces to her desire to fight. He teaches her his most important rule along the way: to always protect yourself. With a greedy mom & dad not around, Maggie is attracted to Frankie as a father-figure. Similarly, Frankie is estranged from his own daughter and figuratively adopts Maggie as his own. With time, Maggie starts to become quite the boxer. Eddie knows Frankie better than anyone else & knows how hurt Frankie is by not having a relationship with his actual daughter, Katie.
Under Frankie's tutelage, Maggie's able to find some moderate success at fighting. She's ecstatic, he's thrilled to find some meaning in life, and her family is awfully happy to receive the checks that she sends them, back home. A huge match is set up in Vegas where Maggie will go toe-to-toe with women's welterweight champ, Billie 'the Blue Bear'. Known for her brutally foul play, Billie illegally attacks Maggie & she's sent flying towards the ropes. For spoiler purposes, I'll simply add that Maggie is severely injured & the tone of the rest of the movie changes for good. Initially enraged at this 'incident', Frankie responds as any father would. But his tune changes when he realizes that Maggie needs him now more than ever (not as an angry teacher, but as concerned confidante & guardian).
Disgusted that he let his emotions get in the way (by even allowing Maggie to train in the 1st place), Frankie descends into a dark hole of frustration and regret. How could he have let this happen? But how could he not have let her have a chance to shine, as well? Maggie's wacko family (including her mom, played cruelly by Margo Martindale ... ooh, I'd like to belt her one) visits her in the hospital, but their true colors come through. They're only out for themselves. Frankie is all Maggie's got, and vice-versa. The conclusion of the film is quietly powerful. With my stomach in knots, I left the theater in a daze at what I'd just witnessed.
I wouldn't call what happens to be a complete tragedy, but I wouldn't call it lively or uplifting, either. Awful things occur. But they had to happen to get the overall honest effect of the film. 'MDB' almost falls into an overtly solemn, melancholy trap. It starts on a positive note & ends on a mellow, heart wrenching one ... though, it's not without a sense of hope, either. The script is exceptional. The story is unique. Themes of faith, loss, and father-daughter relationships carry the film (without falling prey to gooey sentimentality). Swank deserves another Oscar for her poignant performance as Maggie. Eastwood is a directorial genius. And Morgan Freeman (who also narrates) impresses as Frankie/Maggie's cohort. Maggie & Frankie's bond transforms their lives, and I'm glad to have experienced it.