Review of Million Dollar Baby (2004) by Noah C — 25 May 2014

Tenacity is an inspirational quality found in an individual, refusing to back down when everyone else disapproves and or refuses to believe in you, is one of the most admirable qualities a person can have.

However, because of obligatory Hollywood clichés, tenacity usually makes one's eyes role because of the oversaturation of films that deal with that specific quality people. Nearly every protagonist endures through their struggles and eventually is rewarded with success, getting the girl, ect.

Yet that unfortunately is exactly why tenacity is viewed as a preachy cliché, because filmmakers show, that it is guaranteed, that a happily ever after ending will be treated with never giving up. Sadly that is not how the world works which is indeed powerful yet honest for Clint Eastwood's, "Million Dollar Baby", bravely transcends its surface clichés of a woman refusing to give into her determined role In society, by instead reminding us that achieving our goals is ultimately all that is worth living for, our purpose in life; and that after fighting our way into this world we can only fight our way out by accomplishing our dreams.

The thematic richness of this film is honestly staggering considering its conventional concept of a boxer training to become the best, for the film is largely about taking chances and embracing our own character.

All of this is due to the brilliance of director, producer and actor Clint Eastwood. Because Eastwood was responsible for committing a powerful performance and beautiful direction, one of those aspects of the film would be weaker than the other which is 100% not the case for his direction is always wondrous.

Despite the feminine quality of the word, Eastwood's framing and cinematography were utterly beautiful with the darkness of the surroundings always being purged by a beam of light from the window, which not only succeeds thematically but also visually.

Ask any boxing director and they will always tell you that successfully blocking a boxing match between two actors is always incredibly difficult due to the inability for the actors to actually hit one another, yet no scene in the film is exposed in this area either because of the skill of Clint Eastwood's direction or Hillary Swank's skill; overall immaculate direction from Eastwood.

Paul Haggis's screenplay is also powerful in delivering strong dialogue exchanges between characters but also wondrous thematic touches throughout the film. The only weak area of the script is within the pacing which does drag occasionally, yet never enough to damage the film significantly; overall a very well done screenplay from Haggis.

Undoubtedly the best aspect of Million Dollar Baby is the amazing trio of actors that honest to god truly becomes their characters in the film. Clint Eastwood is troubled elderly boxing trainer whom grows tremendously throughout the film, Hillary Swank an aspiring young boxer filled with tenacious spunk and Morgan Freeman is a retired boxer who still is unwilling to leave Frankie's side.

All of the actors exchange beautifully with one another and are certainly the best parts of the film. Common phrases accompanied with this film are beautiful, thematically rich and tenacious; Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby is all of those and so much more for the film is beautifully rich in heartbreaking performances, brilliant direction, immaculate writing and is certainly one of the best films of the past decade certainly deserving its four Academy Awards of Best Picture, Director, Actress and Supporting Actor.