Father, Son, and Holy Ghost--religious imagery in "Baby"

Rating: Null/10 (30 January 2005)

I have seen "Million Dollar Baby" twice now and have been absolutely blown away by the subtle symbols present throughout-- and astounded by this religious allegory Eastwood has created.
First of all, we see Frankie at church, and he asks the priest about the trinity. He can't figure out how the trinity works. How can three beings be one being at the same time? Something clicked in my head (having seen the movie before), and I couldn't believe how I missed it the first time around.
Frankie is the Father, Freeman is the Ghost, and Maggie or Mcuishla (sp?) is the Messiah or Son or The Christ Figure.
Let's look at the facts that Eastwood gives us.
The afore mentioned question of the trinity plainly sets up this theory. When Frankie finally takes Maggie on to be his fighter it's her birthday--32 to be exact--as if Christ is being born. IMMEDIATELY after the first fight, Frankie asks the priest about the immaculate conception...with a smile.
Maggie goes through her trials and is lead into temptation by the Holy Spirit (Freeman) when he takes her to see the slick manager at the diner. She is left "in the desert" as it were like Christ to fend of this temptation. Of course it's a great offer, but she must stay with here offer.
Frankie also gives here the name Mcuishla almost Messiah. And we find out that it means my darling, My BLOOD at the end of the film.
After Maggie's neck injury she's seen lying on the mat in a Christ like pose with the red stool sticking out like a crown of thorns.
In the hospital bed, Maggie is frighteningly close to most popular images of Christ. Her brown locks draped over her face, sores appear on her body like Christ on the cross. Blood drips down her chin after she bites her tongue.
And then, Maggie dies when she is 33 years old. The age of Christ at his death.
Freeman is the Holy Spirit as he breathes the voice into the film. He is "the body" of the gym as he lives in the basement.
Of course, Frankie is the father. He creates Maggie, sacrifices her, names her. Maggie is always shot on the right side of him. As Jesus is seated at the right side of the Father.
There's a great parallel when Clint is at the church for the final time and he says, "she's not asking for God's help, she's asking for mine". That blatant connection is just another hint how Eastwood wants us to be thinking in this film.
You should really keep your eye open to look for these images. And, of course, enjoy this brilliant movie for all of its other attributes.