a million dollar knockout punch

Title:
Million Dollar Baby (A)
PH Release Date:
March 2, 2005
Actors:
Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman
Director:
Clint Eastwood
Based on:
FX Toole’s Rope Burns
Screenplay:
Paul Haggis
Editor / Music:
Joel Cow / Clint Eastwood
Design / Photography:
Henry Bumstead / Tom Sherif
Producer:
Clint Eastwood
Studio:
Warner Bros.



“girly, tough ain’t enough….you have to fight your way into this world, and fight your way out of it.”

Fresh from the somehow surprising Oscar upshot, I prepared myself for sheer disappointment before I saw this movie. Scorcese’s epic is number one on my list for 2004 movies, and I didn’t expect this one to take its place. It almost did, but didn’t quite.

The story rotates around three characters: Frankie Dunn (Eastwood), a boxing trainer/manager who acts like a seven year old kid wanting to be molested by the priest everytime he goes to church. Maggie Fitzgerald is too old and awfully amateur to box, her life is much like Cinderella’s, and Frankie was her fairy grandfather who she religiously appealed to be her trainer. And Morgan Freeman’s character, used to be a champ derailed by a fight that caused his eye loss. He still works in the ring, but as a spit wiper (too much for climbing the hierarchy). All their lives are trapped in their own bewildered past and a boxing gym that seemed to be as rotten as their lives are.



The story began in a boxing match of Frankie’s budding superstar boxer. It’s also where Maggie first attempted to nab him as trainer, but unlike every man Clint’s age, he turned her down. But Maggie won’t be stopped especially when she found encouragement in Morgan. Few rounds of drama and laugh, Frankie agreed to train her and they make an invincible team that took the world of female boxing by storm. Did they go as far as winning a belt? You would have to watch it to find out…

I liked the movie, not loved it, but liked it. It was very simple yet so real. It’s a different kind of from rags to riches story cuz it’s not your typical they live happily ever after ending. The characters were very well developed and they’re not conveyed as if they beg for your mercy, they were presented like any person in their position should do, just hope.



I know a lot of people may disagree with me but I really found Clint Eastwood’s acting odd. I’m not saying that it was bad, I think he did a terrific job, but it was really weird. It is as if he’s a member of the SONFEX (Society of No Facial Expressions). It’s really strange, I felt like he had his face done or at least had BOTOX. But I salute him for doing such a great job as a director. Although my vote is still for Martin, he comes in second. He was able to start soft then slowly it becomes riveting and heart pounding at the same time. The scenes were cleanly executed, nothing special shot-wise but he captured every moment using slow close-ups together with his own poignant score. Yes, if you don’t know, he also made the score, he produced this movie, he’s the lead actor and he’s the director. He surely made the most out of it since he wasn’t able to write it.

On the writer’s note it was a well-made screenplay. Witty, stupid (in a good way) and didactic at the same time. I’d say it’s as strong as every aspect of the movie, which brings me to the movie’s strength. Every aspect of it worked perfectly well with one another. From the script to the actors to the director to the technical aspects. I had a couple of really good laughs not because they’re anything especial but I think just the chemistry of the actors worked so well. This is one of the few low-budgeted Hollywood movies that won Best Picture and it only took 37 days to shoot, which if in our local movie industry, will absolutely be normal.



I’m really glad that Hilary got this role. After, the Core, I never thought she’ll ever make a movie again, let alone win another Oscar. But I never doubted her talent, just her career judgments. Good thing she bagged this one. I do hope she learned her lesson. And another thing, she’d better fire her stylist so that we’ll be assured that she’ll no longer look like a Christmas delicacy (the violet backless down-to-her-crack gown) the next time we see her on the Red Carpet.

It’s a definite must-see but it may not be for everyone. The guys can watch it for their dying Idol but if you’re a woman who only watches movies to see topless hunks or eye-candies, you may need to reconsider, especially since Clint is the exact opposite of that. But there is one thing I can assure you; he’s not taking any of his clothes off. Whew!.