Million Dollar Baby

Unreal! I didn't expect 'Million Dollar Baby' to be so astonishingly brilliant.

I've said it many a time before but for full context, I do not read up about films before watching them - aside from making sure the film isn't part of a franchise, checking the run time and seeing the genre - so I was expecting this to be a cliché-filled, but still great, sports flick. It's so much more than that.

It's way more deeper and has an everlasting impact that I hadn't anticipated. Even across the opening chunk I was predicating the obvious cliché ending, but as the film progresses and, especially, as the final portion rolls around it just absorbed my total attention - I was fully engrossed... hook, line, and sinker. Some film!

The cast are simply stunning. Clint Eastwood gives an absolutely fantastic performance, Hilary Swank is truly sensational - especially at the end, damn - and Morgan Freeman is Morgan Freeman; what an actor and what a voice, using him as narrator was a great move. Elsewhere, and though less dramatically, Jay Baruchel, Anthony Mackie, Margo Martindale and Michael Peña also feature interestingly.

It's quite the journey the film takes you on, which I just found utterly enthralling to watch unfold. Perfect pacing, perfect acting. I loved watching every second of it and will undoubtedly be revisiting it.

I noted days ago that I was rather surprised to learn that Eastwood's 'Unforgiven' had been so heavily acclaimed, on this occasion with this 2004 film I am the complete opposite. I don't care much for awards et al., but I am delighted to see all involved receive their props for this. Chapeau!

Marvellous, just marvellous.

I think this movie is one of the greatest movies ever. if you reading my comment that's mean you liked this movie, So i will suggest that you watch ( The Great Gatsby 2013 ).

Million Dollar Baby



TBH, based off the title my expectation was not a boxing movie.

I think that aside, it still went unexpected afterwards nonetheless.

Spoiler warnings

[spoiler] I did expect a movie about the utmost rise, and archiving your goals, and be content with your life after.

Yet what this movie showed what was the largest fall in life one could ever have.

And while I don't quite agree on the reasons for the end - I think as society as well as in media we need to talk more about how our lives will eventually end, and how we handle that as people.[/spoiler]

Rating 9/10

I think I just died a little.

An early 2000s masterpiece. No other film blends sports and drama the way this one does — it’s truly one of a kind. Clint Eastwood and Hilary Swank are absolutely perfect in their roles.
And every time you rewatch it… that scene, yes that one, breaks your heart all over again. Impossible not to cry.

This movie is hauntingly beautiful, exceedingly tragic, and yet still oddly inspiring…

Fight scenes seemed too choreographed at times.
[spoiler]Did not expect the development of the story.[/spoiler]
Made me tear up but they could have made it a bit more emotional for my tastes.

"Million Dollar Baby" is a boxing film with significantly more boxing than many other works in the genre, but it is ultimately not about the sport. The main reason for this is the final act, which turns the entire plot upside down. I really envy anyone who was able to experience the twist completely unspoiled during the first viewing. I knew roughly where the journey was going, unfortunately.

Above all, the great performances of Hillary Swank and Clint Eastwood ensure that you will feel for the characters to the very end. Swank is convincing in the boxing scenes with her physicality, as well as in the dramatic parts. Meanwhile, Eastwood, as usual, plays the grim old man convincingly. Morgan Freeman also delivers in an important supporting role. And, from today's perspective, it's almost comical how many well-known actors appear. I could've lived without Jay Baruchel's character, though.

But it wasn't just the acting that captivated me; it was also the way the film was shot. Eastwood does a lot with light and shadow as the director. Characters often sit in the dark during dialogues and are only recognizable because of a glimmer of light. Overall, he dispenses with many of the clichés of the sports movie genre. The fight scenes are presented in a very straightforward and unspectacular manner. The only training montage is accompanied by calm guitar music and not a motivating score. And the "final battle" is far from triumphant. All of this contributes to the fact that it's not just "Rocky, only with women."

Instead, it gets really emotional again in the last act. As for the controversial ending, I have to say that it certainly could have been made a bit more positive and life-affirming. But I can also live with the actual ending. The decisions of all the characters are at least understandable. Although depressing, it fits the film perfectly.