Too Heavy

Rating: 8/10 (29 March 2005)

I forced my boyfriend to go see this with me the other night with the promise (false, though it may be) that it involved some boxing. Well, he just hated it. Not because it didn't involve too much boxing, but because it made him feel so sad, so depressed as we left the theater, that he just hated it. He said he was nauseated at the end (and throughout the last 30 minutes of the film) because it was just too heavy. My perspective is unfortunately quite similar. We both agreed that the acting was superb, but the story itself was just too sad. It was refreshing to see a movie without the cliché happy ending, but this takes it to new extremes. It was difficult to watch because of the sadness. I can only describe it as 'heavy.' There were a few moments of levity, but not enough to help us escape from the grips of depression and despair the movie so masterfully conveyed. I gave this film 8 out of 10 because it was a great movie. However, I will NEVER see it again. I can't go through it again, and I think my boyfriend would kill me if I brought it home. Just a note... we at least made it through the entire film, but others in the theater were not as tolerant. That being said, I will defend the film, because I am certain the people did not leave because it was bad, but because they just couldn't take any more. I guess that is why it deserved the Oscar. But, all in all, it was a VERY difficult movie to watch. That makes it excellent, I suppose. Unfortunately, MDB will not go on my favorites list. I can appreciate it for the masterpiece it was, but I don't want to suffer through it again. It was just too hard to watch (mainly towards the end). Also, I am usually a crier, but I managed to compose myself through MDB. However, the other patrons, as mentioned earlier, were also not as fortunate. An amazing film that perfectly demonstrates the genius of Clint Eastwood as well as Morgan Freeman, and the amazing ability of Hilary Swank to morph into any character.... it was just SO sad and TOO HEAVY!! I know I keep saying it, but that is the best way to describe it.
P.S. - "Danger" was some nice comic relief, but even he was victim to minor tragedy.... just another example of the heaviness of this film.