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JOURNAL
March 2005
A MILLION DOLLAR MOVIE
By rewarding the film with four major Oscars, the Academy did the right thing this year. Those who are not boxing fans, or even sports fans, make a mistake by skipping this movie. Yes, there are some rollicking boxing matches and a few squeamish, bloodletting scenes (avert your eyes), but the movie is about so much more than that. How passionately are we willing to fight for our dreams? Do we give up or give all? Do we have regrets about our life choices? Do we become jaded to the possibility of ever caring for someone again? Can we forgive ourselves for our failings? Can we protect ourselves from life's hardships?
As we watch the movie, that all-American need for action and answers occasionally intrudes. We may want to know what happened in Freddie's past? What happens to the blue boxer? What is Maggie's life like outside of the boxing ring and training gym? Paul Haggis wisely avoids the temptation to go on those tangents. He realizes the importance is the slow, intertwining relationship between Freddie and Maggie (Swank), and those secondary things don't matter. He leaves it up to the intelligent viewer to fill in those blanks for herself. Our imagination trumps anything Haggis could have written and he is smart enough to know that and have faith in that. The ending of the movie offers both heartbreak and triumph, much like life itself. There are no easy answers, but where there is love, true living comes to fruition.
Also to be congratulated are Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman for their acting wins. Swank is emerging as the Katherine Hepburn of our day, taking on strong roles and delivering the knockout punch. She has great strength and great vulnerability, a combination that can't be beat in film acting. Freeman has long deserved such awards in his career. He always brings his heart into every role he plays, whether it be a pimp, a butler, a prisoner or a faded boxer.
Outside of the movie, Eastwood, Swank and Freeman also embody the best of the American dream. They are role models that can inspire us all. Swank grew up poor and worked hard to get where she is, and she doesn't forget that. She is probably the most gracious star you would ever meet (yes, I did meet her briefly, a few years ago). Freeman never gave up on his dream, and slowly built a career over decades, finally peaking now at age 67. As for Eastwood: Can anyone name me a more prolific, talented person in the history of the film medium? He has triumphed as an actor, a producer, a music scorer and, finally, as a director. His output in the last ten years alone — at a time when most men retire — has been nothing short of stunning.
In "Million Dollar Baby", persistence and love triumph, despite the heartbreak. What happens in the end does not diminish the journey, it only illuminates it. How refreshing to have such values presented on our movie screen, through a story that is adventurous, real and compelling. Go see it now!
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