'Million Dollar Baby' sure contender for 2005 Oscar
match-up
Eastwood, Swank and Freeman shine in this Academy Award
nomination
Ryan Howard / Reviewer
Clint Eastwood has been acting in movies since 1955, and
directing them since 1971, but it was not until the early
1990s that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
began to acknowledge his work. He has been nominated five
times, and has won Oscars for directing and best picture for
1992 with "Unforgiven." Eastwood's latest film
"Million Dollar Baby," has been nominated for seven
awards, including best picture. In addition to starring in
the movie, Eastwood also directs, produces and composes the
musical score.
The film tells the story of Frankie Dunn (Eastwood), a
veteran boxer that now manages fighters and runs his own gym.
Maggie Fitzgerald (Hillary Swank) has been waiting tables in
a diner all her life and boxing in her spare time. Though
inexperienced, she's determined to be coached by Frankie,
although he tells her she is too old and he does not train
girls. Despite this, Maggie shows up to his gym daily in the
hopes that he will agree to train her. Maggie initially gets
after-hours help from Scrap (Morgan Freeman), the ex-boxer
who manages and lives in Frankie's gym. Although he is
reluctant to get close to anybody since his daughter is
estranged and refuses to talk to him, Frankie eventually
agrees to train Maggie.
This movie has a raw feel to it. There aren't many wide
shots and there is an absence of bright color. Everything
seems grey and monotone. The camera primarily stays focused
closely on the actors, whose performances are both subtle and
powerful at the same time. There are no melodramatic moments
designed to wrench at the audience's heartstrings.
Eastwood allows each scene to speak for itself, and is
careful not to let the story overshadow the characters.
The story is very character-driven. As a director, Eastwood
extracts moving performances from Swank and Freeman, both of
whom have also earned Academy Award nominations for their
performances in this movie.
Swank's portrayal of the determined amateur is
convincing, and her determination is so genuine that the
audience cannot help but empathize with her. Freeman has a
powerful onscreen presence, and his quiet approach in this
role is a great contribution to the overall feel of the
movie.
If the moviegoer is in the mood for a serious film,
"Million Dollar Baby" is an enjoyable watch. As the
film progresses it becomes darker, exploring the complexities
of human emotion and the relationships formed by the three
main characters. Right from the beginning the movie draws the
audience in. It manages to sustain a strong story and keeps
the plot moving throughout the entire film without the use of
gratuitous violence or any other gimmick that popular movies
often throw at the audience. "Million Dollar Baby"
is sure to be a major contender at the Academy Awards on Feb.
27.
Contact Ryan Howard at pendulum@elon.edu or
278-7247.
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