Clint Eastwood is The Man! :D

Rating: 8/10 (28 April 2006)

Since I hadn't really heard anything about this film before watching it, I didn't really know what to expect. But somehow I knew that it wouldn't really be about boxing. That's quite easy to figure out. I knew that there's was gonna be a deeper meaning to the film, but I just wasn't sure what that was and how it would develop.
So finally taking myself some time to watch the movie I first felt a little bit uninterested, mostly watching to have seen it and being able to state my opinion afterward. However it didn't take long to get into the film, and when I did I found myself appreciating it a lot. Of course there are classic clichés and predictable elements in the plot at times. And already from the beginning you know something is eventually gonna go wrong. But that doesn't really matter. Even if you do know that, you don't know exactly what's gonna go wrong or how you're going to feel when it does. You don't know how strong feelings you've been led to build up for the main characters.
Nowadays, when making a movie, it isn't easy to avoid repeating some parts and turns in the plot that has already appeared in an earlier movie or several, since most movies already have dealt with most themes. And I know some people have criticized Eastwood for this film. Calling it overrated, saying it's cliché and so on. But It's how you do the film that matters. Of course originality is important in a film. But definitely also equally important is how the actors manage, what they deliver and how it all adds up in the end. What you feel during, and mostly important what you feel after the movie. "Have you learned anything?". "How did you feel?" etc.
What Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby regards I really got to say that I found the acting superb, mostly on Hillary Swanks part. But even Eastwood and Freeman were great as almost always. And the plot - although containing predictable elements at times - was also great and captivating. I was totally drawn into the drama of the film and felt for both Maggie as well as Frankie in the end. It was really chocking and horrifying what happened to her. Even before the fight you just know that something bad will happen. But even so, when it does, You can't help but to suffer for her sake. I would say what happens to her towards the end of this film is one of the cruelest destinies for any human to suffer in life. It lets you appreciate you're own life situation.
So what can be taught by this film? What do we learn? They way I see it, we learn that however cruel it seems to be what happened to Maggie we must dare to live our lives. Live out our dreams and not be afraid. Whatever happens to us it will be worth it if we've had a fulfilling life. Just think about it. Even if you protect yourself you're whole life what is it worth protecting for if you don't follow that dream? Although a classic theme - depicted in many films before and will be in several films to follow - it was nicely done in this one. Great Job Clint Eastwood! (Beside this is just my interpretation of the movie, you may have another one)...Anyhow, I seriously recommend you to see this film, you will be moved...