Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" (promise not to spoil it)

[Lefty48197]

I went to see this movie the other night. I'm not a real big movie buff, but I thought I'd go see it, because it was getting such great reviews.

Going into the theater, all I knew about the movie was that Clint Eastwood played a boxing trainer, and that he trains a female boxer. The role of the boxer was played by Hilary Swank. She won a Golden Globes award for Best Actress, while Clint got the award for Best Director.

I went into the theater expecting one of those predictable feel-good movies about a young, energetic, talented kid, who is guided to success by their wise mentor. That story-line makes a great movie, even though it's been done about a million times before...
For the first half of this movie, I was treated to just that: An excellent, inspirational story of a gritty and determined hero, and the gruff, wise old teacher that guided her towards her goal.

Somewhere along the line though, the movie changed, and it stopped being a "boxing movie". The movie changed into a story about humanity and the challenges that we face in life. The move even took on sort of a 'dark' tone, as the early hopefulness faded.

I'm still not sure if I liked this movie. I did see an excellent acting performance by Hillary Swank, and what I thought was an equally brilliant performance by co-star Morgan Freeman, who played Clint's right hand man in running the gym.

I was just so surprised by the final direction of the film, that I was caught off guard.

Of special interest to DUers might be when the movie addresses a "human rights issue" that is likely to grab the attention of both liberals and conservatives. Don't be surprised if a certain group of right wingers raises a stink about this movie...

Clint's character wasn't the usual gun-toting, law & order character we're used to seeing him play. His character had a real "crusty" exterior, but you get flashes of the true humanity inside of him. I wonder if Clint wasn't trying to make a statement about his own character, with this film?

Would I recommend this movie to my fellow DUers? I don't know. Ask me after I go see it a second time...

[KamaAina]

1. Don't be too surprised if some progressives raise a stink, too

Hint: They'll be the same ones who were ticked off at Eastwood when he ran a B&B in Carmel.

[eaprez]

2. it was already spoiled on several shows...Laura Flanders being one of them

...just hearing it was disturbing - don't think I'll see it.

[hollywood926]

3. Thanks for the review...

I'm planning to see it this weekend. Can't wait!

[alittlelark]

4. I started a thread on it earlier

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2511608

[candy]

5. The idiot Rush Limbaugh spoiled it for everyone today.----

What a goddam moron he is.

[Mr. Blonde]

6. I don't think this is as bad as Rosie

telling everyone the twist in Fight Club.

This one is kind of a hard one to get around. Because the movie centers around the twist and not boxing you kind of need to let people know what is going to happen.