Spring Break
Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby meets high expectations
Ben Lueck
Issue date: 2/17/05 Section: Entertainment
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02/17/05 - Still warm from the heat surrounding 2003's extremely hyped, but far from perfect Mystic River, Clint Eastwood is once again making headlines of the "best picture of the year" variety with Million Dollar Baby. Like his last film, Eastwood's latest isn't quite as unbelievable as some excitable critics may have you believe, but its only real flaw may be that it's too good.
With Mystic River, Eastwood aimed high and narrowly missed - trying to twist the plot out from under us, but playing a dirty trick on his audience in the process. This time around, however, Eastwood keeps things simple and nails it. He does turn the story on its heel for the last portion of the film, but this isn't quite as earthshaking as it's been made out to be.
Before I go farther I do have to clarify one thing. Due to this plot twist, almost anyone you discuss Million Dollar Baby with will lead off by explaining how it's not really a boxing movie, that it's got so much more going on, but here's the thing: it is a boxing movie. Yeah, it's about hope and faith and second chances and Morgan Freeman, but it's a boxing movie about hope and faith and second chances and Morgan Freeman.
Million Dollar Baby tells the story of Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), a boxer who's chasing big and unlikely dreams, and the man she seeks out to help her, Frankie Dunn (Eastwood). Dunn is a well-respected but ultimately unsuccessful trainer whose career is on its last legs and is reluctant to train a "girl."
The majority of the film follows the relatively cliché outline that I'm sure the cliché description above implies, albeit with moody lighting and subtle, intelligent acting.
As with Mystic River, the acting is what really makes this film what it is. Eastwood eases along the development of his characters masterfully, as both Frankie and Maggie have deeper issues that rise to the surface over the course of Maggie's rise to boxing glory. Both Swank and Eastwood give graceful, balanced performances, resulting in two of the most believable characters in recent memory.
Of course, once Maggie reaches the big fight, things don't go as planned. Things take a turn for the worse and the film makes a sharp left into social commentary territory.
It's unfortunate that I can't discuss what happens at the end of the film, since it's much more relevant than two people fighting in a ring.
However, I thought it didn't feel quite as moving or thought provoking as it should, mostly due to the film being too perfect for its own good. I mean, this is Eastwood after all, so when the unexpected happens the reaction is less jaw dropping and more like, "OK yeah, that makes sense." If she had won the big fight and everyone lived happily ever after, then that would be shocking.
So that's really the only problem here. As you're being moved by the story and presented with its twists, it sort of just feels like you're going through the motions.
But that's only because Million Dollar Baby is exactly as incredible as you think it's going to be. The acting is excellent, the story is poignant and the film is a must-see.
With Mystic River, Eastwood aimed high and narrowly missed - trying to twist the plot out from under us, but playing a dirty trick on his audience in the process. This time around, however, Eastwood keeps things simple and nails it. He does turn the story on its heel for the last portion of the film, but this isn't quite as earthshaking as it's been made out to be.
Before I go farther I do have to clarify one thing. Due to this plot twist, almost anyone you discuss Million Dollar Baby with will lead off by explaining how it's not really a boxing movie, that it's got so much more going on, but here's the thing: it is a boxing movie. Yeah, it's about hope and faith and second chances and Morgan Freeman, but it's a boxing movie about hope and faith and second chances and Morgan Freeman.
Million Dollar Baby tells the story of Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), a boxer who's chasing big and unlikely dreams, and the man she seeks out to help her, Frankie Dunn (Eastwood). Dunn is a well-respected but ultimately unsuccessful trainer whose career is on its last legs and is reluctant to train a "girl."
The majority of the film follows the relatively cliché outline that I'm sure the cliché description above implies, albeit with moody lighting and subtle, intelligent acting.
As with Mystic River, the acting is what really makes this film what it is. Eastwood eases along the development of his characters masterfully, as both Frankie and Maggie have deeper issues that rise to the surface over the course of Maggie's rise to boxing glory. Both Swank and Eastwood give graceful, balanced performances, resulting in two of the most believable characters in recent memory.
Of course, once Maggie reaches the big fight, things don't go as planned. Things take a turn for the worse and the film makes a sharp left into social commentary territory.
It's unfortunate that I can't discuss what happens at the end of the film, since it's much more relevant than two people fighting in a ring.
However, I thought it didn't feel quite as moving or thought provoking as it should, mostly due to the film being too perfect for its own good. I mean, this is Eastwood after all, so when the unexpected happens the reaction is less jaw dropping and more like, "OK yeah, that makes sense." If she had won the big fight and everyone lived happily ever after, then that would be shocking.
So that's really the only problem here. As you're being moved by the story and presented with its twists, it sort of just feels like you're going through the motions.
But that's only because Million Dollar Baby is exactly as incredible as you think it's going to be. The acting is excellent, the story is poignant and the film is a must-see.
