Million Dollar Baby
—Overview
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film pdf
—Spiritual Connections
“Always protect yourself.” That is the prime rule that Frankie Dunn teaches his fighters. He reinforces this rule over and over. It’s not bad advice for someone going into a boxing ring where another person will be trying to knock them unconscious. But as we watch Million Dollar Baby we see that in reality, Frankie’s number one rule is evidence of a lack of faith – in himself or in anyone else.
Because of the power that the plot twists of this film generate when they happen, I’m going to limit my comments to the role of faith in this film. To go through the twists and issues that are raised before someone sees the film would rob the movie of some force behind its punch (which is a strong right cross). I will say, though, that you should not go into this looking for a Rocky-esque triumph. There are dark turns in this story that help to make this one of the top films of the year.
Clint Eastwood films (the films he directs and many of the films he has starred in) often have strong spiritual messages that grow out of looking at the dark side of life. The grungy gym that is the location for most of this film is figurative of the seaminess of the boxing world. That one has the chance to make this world of sweat and struggle a path to redemption is a key element of this film. But it’s not easy to find that redemption.
Frankie has in effect been hiding in this gym for the last twenty-some years. He’s trained several boxers, some of whom have moved to the big time, but always without him. He keeps trying to protect them; he’s really obstructing them. Frankie always wants his fighters to get “two or three more fights” before they are ready to challenge for the title. It is only after they get a new manager that they get their chance. Frankie is afraid. He’s seen boxers get hurt. And as the film plays out we learn why he has such fears.
Frankie is a puzzle in terms of faith. Outwardly, he seems to be a person of faith. We see him kneeling beside the bed to pray, but it’s a pretty pathetic prayer. He goes to mass every morning, but afterwards tries to bait the priest into theological debates. He is struggling for something to believe in. That lack of faith is a key part of his worry. He wants his fighters to protect themselves, because deep down, he doesn’t believe anyone will protect them. He knows he’s incapable of protecting them. He doesn’t trust God to protect them.
Into his gym comes Maggie Fitzgerald, a young woman who wants to be a boxer and wants Frankie to train her. Despite his refusal, Maggie keeps coming, pounding on a heavy bag day after day. Her life has been hard. She sees this as her only way out. And she has utter faith in Frankie to make her into a boxer. She risks everything just to get Frankie to help her.
This contrast between Frankie’s fear and Maggie’s trust creates the framework for the film that allows us to look at the role faith and trust play in how we find the way to true life. For Maggie to fulfill her calling and make use of the ability she has cultivated under Frankie’s care, Frankie has to accept risk. Maggie has to be able to go against fighters who are better and younger than she. They have the potential to do great harm to her. Frankie has to begin to trust in Maggie’s ability.
There is yet another character that plays an important part in this film. Scrap-Iron Dupris, an ex-fighter who cleans up and helps around the gym, serves as a catalyst between Frankie and Maggie. In some ways, I see him as a representation of the Holy Spirit. It is Scrap’s voice that narrates the story. It is he who sees the potential in Maggie and knows the pain that lives within Frankie. By bringing them together, he seems to know that they have the potential to complete one another. Scrap is an ongoing presence watching over all that happens in the story and leading its characters to find their way to life.
While the story has a very dark turn, it is also a film that teaches us that there are great things that can be accomplished if we allow ourselves to trust and not live in fear. Sometimes “protecting oneself” can do us more harm than letting ourselves risk all while trusting in what we have.
—Overview
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film pdf
—Spiritual Connections
10 Comments:
Darrell,
I love the way you summarized Frankie in the first paragraph of your review. Interesting that both of us picked up on a different catch-phrase in this film. The thought that Frankie's obsession with protecting his fighters signalled a lack of faith in God had not crystalized in my brain, although I felt it lurking there. Thanks for pointing it out.
Something that bothered me about this film was that the entire religious side of Frankie's personality seemed like an add-on. You could have lifted all of those scenes out of the story and it still would have held together. The one exception would be the scene where he has his big final talk with the priest. But I think you could have turned Scrap into a spiritual mentor of sorts and had him fulfill that role instead. Would have made for a tighter script, I think.
Appreciate your insights. Your last point about how seeking to protect ourselves and others can actually lead to harm is a good response to some of the questions I raised in my review.
K
Although I might have liked the religious aspect to have a bit more focus, I didn't see it as an add on. But emphasis there probably would have detracted a bit.
One of the things I wonder about, especially with my assetion that Frankie has no faith, is his faithfulness in writing his daughter, even though the letters always come back. He is still capable of acting in faith.
The following comment contains major spoilers:
Many Christian film critics have labeled this film as "abhorrent" and "dangerous" regarding The Big Issue that plays itself out in the 3rd act. Many Christians not involved in film as come to join their cause. But as I watch my fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord speaking out against The Big Issue, I turn on my TV and read the newspaper. Almost every day I read or see another story about a man or woman who's taken their own lives or taken the lives of their spouse/children/family. When the surrounding community is interviewed, I often hear comments about how shocked they are regarding the tragic events. I hear comments like, "I never saw this coming. They had such a seemingly happy life. I don't know what would have made him/her do such a thing."
But, in reality, we don't know what makes an individual turn and make the decisions they make. We don't know what makes stockbrokers jump out of 12 story windows when the market crashes. We don't know what makes mothers drown their own children on plunge their cars into the ocean. We don't know what makes fathers shoot their own families...including the children they brought into this world...and then shoot themselves.
To (hammer) bring this point closer to home, this past holiday season, Dr. Robert Schuller's minister of music committed suicide just before a performance of his church's annual "The Glory of Christmas" performance. A couple of years ago, there was a sister the church I attended who suddenly committed suicide without warning or any signs that she was going through any major trouble in her life. I have a very good friend who is a Christian who is fighting a daily fight against suicidal thoughts that have almost manifested themselves into action.
And...in this film...that's what I saw in Maggie. In this film, and in these true life stories, none of us knows what drives a person to the state of mind in which a permanent exit seems like the best option. We can spritualize and theologize the motivations of a person's heart as much as we can. But, unless we're in the midst of that tragedy, we have no idea what goes on in that person's mind. Let us remember...when Frankie first refused to grant her wish, she went to an extremely graphic and shocking measure to fulfill her wish. The nurses had to heavily sedate her to keep her from making another attempt...because, let's be honest, she would have tried again. And again. And again.
The question: are we (Christians) truly judging Frankie and the film because of Frankie's decision? Or we judging the film because of Maggie's wish to die?
I don't condone Frankie's decision or even justify Maggie's choice. However, if we are to be ambassadors of Christ in the midst of a lost world, shouldn't we, through our discussion of this and other films, try to show compassion for the situation rather than just zeroing in on the sin? Yes we can disapprove of the action that was taken, but our grace/mercy/love for the individual involved in the (sin) situation should override our (perceived) necessity to condemn them. That, to me, is the definition of being Christlike!
Hi all,
I think the move "Million Dollar Baby" portrayed the importance and feasbility of growing toward our dreams as we all approach death. The transition of Clint Eastwood from the beginning to the end of the movie represented how men are fortunately being pressured toward more "feminine" values in society.
The movie was about the relationship between man and woman, but it also symbolized the relationship between feminine and masculine. The final scene, where he euthanizes her, represented his last rebellious transition (in the context of religion) from the traditional male to the more modern (empathizingly emotive) male. It was beautiful.
Isn't it interesting how Clint attended Catholic mass for over 20 years, but he only truly found himself by empathizing and caring for a woman?
Forget about the bible, that old and irrelevant book, and find peace in deep empathy and compassion. Forget about religion, seek inner truth and spirituality.
Peace,
Chris
Chris
It is a bit disrespectful to come to a Christian site that lifts up and knows the Bible as its final authority to life and living, and to say a comment like "forget the Bible and cling to Satan's mouse traps instead", when the Bible is a very relevant book; in fact it holds the key to life. Feelings such as empathy and compassion come and go, don't be led by your feelings; they will only betray you and lead you to a certain death. Inner truth reveals man's complete darkness and sinfulness. You are right about not buying into religion which is man's way of buying into heaven and outward righteous appearance re: Clint's attending Catholic mass for 20 years and not finding himself, but I would say to that "seek relationship with God through Jesus Christ and find the way, the truth and the life." I pray God would remove the scales from your eyes as He did to the apostle Paul and show you just how relevant the Bible is; that is the Bible which confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. You would appreciate what the Apostle Paul says upon his death bed in 2 Tim 4:6-8 "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." and 1 Tim 6:12 "...lay hold on eternal life" - this is the dream I aspire towards, any other dream pales in comparison
blessings,
Richard
There was a comment made in an earlier post suggesting that people should "forget about the Bible..." I, Chris Utley, was not the person who made such comments. That comment was from an anonymous person who just so happens to have the same name as I do.
As the rest of the HJ team fully knows...and as indicated by my reviews...I firmly believe that the Bible is the Word of God. Furthermore, I daringly and freely utilize the Bible in my reviews to show the similarities between the situations shown in movies with the situations people go through in real life.
Yes, it is "an old book"...but hardly irrelevant. I challenge you, Anonymous Chris, to rediscover it. You'll be amazed at the relevance of God's Word in your everyday life.
My apologies
the Chris I was addressing was the anonymous Chris in the previous post, not Chris Utley.
concerning the movie; I rather like how Clint either intentionally or unintentionally challenged people as to if they would fight with faith or fear when their moment will come and what would people do ie: should they at least present the gospel to them?. If your friend was dying inside would you just stand by and watch and walk away? Would God not comfort your friend or even perhaps miraculously resurrect them ie: Lazarus was he so special that God needed to resurrect him? In relevance to the Bible this could apply to being faced with accepting the "mark of the beast", renouncing our faith in Christ for the temporal pleasures this world has to offer and last but not least "obeying God's Word; being doers and not only hearers".
On believing the Bible is the Word of God; I've tried many times as a Christian to deny this truth, but the Holy Spirit inside me continues to remind me it wasn't just a dream; I really was born-again and God's Word is "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"Psalm 119:103. and "As the hart (deer) panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." Psalm 42:1
blessings,
Richard
A comment about the religious aspect of Frankie's lilfe as an add-on:
Funny: I thought the whole movie was really an answer to Frankie's questions about his faith.
I know it's very late to post here, but I think the site is great resource for church related discussion about pop culture, and in particular film. I am a little disappointed that no one has commented about the fact that MBD is not only a movie about boxing and hard choices, but the Trinity (cap T). I think it might be the best explanation of the trinity I've ever seen and its added feature is the guide on how to figure out what the movie is all about.
Then again it is possible that is so obvious everyone gets it, and there is no need to comment, but I am going to forge ahead anyway, just in case someone has missed something:).
Frankie sets up the question during the first couple of scenes. The story then takes us to the Hit Pit, which is a church I might just want to visit. Since we are already introduced to the father, we are introduced to the holy spirit who continues to narrate the story. After meeting the priniciples (Davey and Goliath, Judas, a couple of serpents), we would meet in the both Testaments (yes, the Bible is included everywhere you look in this work), we meet the son(f) who comes to us by way of Maggie Fitzgerald. She is an opportunity in the making for Frankie (standing in for all Christians who share his doubts and inquiries) to level up a notch, and get one mysterious question answered in the gut where it all starts in boxing and and life.
The director gave me clues everywhere. Read the movie like a poem - the reason for all the stuff about Yeats, the Isle of Innisfree and Gaelic. Read your Bible too, and it lets you know right where to go for the scripture references - many listed in the criticism already made, but the one most important to me was Galations 3:1 (and the rest of Galations for that matter too). I never like to parse scripture, because the Bible is so much more compelling and true. By the way - a little hint. I found the reference in the detail. It was found in the film just outside of Maggie's hospital room door. See where I am going with this...and by the way, I can't remember that any character cursed in this movie. Everything said can be taken very literally, even the lemon meringue pie.
I don't want to go on too long with his comment, but I also want to point out there was much humor in the film too. It wasn't so much a dark film, as a dark film penetrated by much light and moments of real compassion, and compassion never clouds my vision of God, compassion illuminates my vision of God. It is the way.
I am starting to wonder if I saw the same film as everyone else? I heard it was originally supposed to come out in March around the time of St. Patricks's Day and Easter. If it had it may have been another clue about its layers of themes, but so far I've not seen anyone talk about that either.
The real choice in this movie was not about whether the choice Frankie made should be condoned, but whether Frankie made a selfless decision, knowing fully that he may have condemned himself to a life of "not being able to live with himself or God." Interesting thing is the Bible says Christ's love brought us some backward thinking (much like boxing), and just about the time you start to think Frankie was damned by his response to a difficult and impossible situation, he may be (and we aren't sure) lifted out of his "sin" and forgiven, just like we were promised by Paul when he spoke to the Galations about whether to consign yourself to roman law or to the mystery of the Holy Spirit.
Now feel free to take your counter punches:). I will keep my gloves up close together at chest level and protect my heart. I will try my darndest not to drop my left hand or turn my cheek like Maggie did, but I already have... & The more I think about it - oh' what a wonderful & one day classic film...See again and begin to notice another story there.
Occupant: I was somewhat fascinated by the way the film played with the Trinity. All three facets are present - the best developed is Scrap (the Spirit). Frankie as the Father and Maggie as the Son are fairly clearly there, but not that well developed in terms of their roles. And even with all of them there, it seems more like Frankie's question to the priest about 3 demi-gods, since we don't so much see how they all create a unity. (But then, I'm not all that orthodox and not very Trinitarian to start with, so what do I know?)
I've always been interested in how the Trinity was supposed to work, even when I am not leaning toward orthodoxy. The movie seemed to explain it in a way I never contemplated, but you have to look at the film in its entirety. You have to look at the set, color, characters, and story. You have to watch for clues, just like you do when you really read the Bible, and aren't just looking for scripture references to WOW your small group.
You have to look at the relationship between the characters, and what they are asked to do for each other. In fact, I think the story tells us it isn't about 3 gods at all, but one God with three living faces, and he gives us opportunities for redemption, when we least expect or desire the opportunity. You can't earn personal salvation by working to achieve it, like success in the world, because he(f.) asks us to do something backward. God asks to respond in a completely selfless manner without worrying, if our selfless act will damn us to a life of living without "heaven" for the purpose of helping someone we love get back to the father, and when humans who think they know better are diverting our attention from him and his authority.
And there's a second part, even more complicated than the first. We have to love selflessly and per Paul (Galations) the guide through this paradoxical "mess" will be the Holy Ghost.
My grown daughter argues with me about whether I need to understand the mystery behind the Trinity. She says it matters not; only that it exists.
But, her admonishment is not good enough for me. I knew there was something relevant there, and now I am more convinced than ever, we all share (through Christ's incarnation) a little of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, (a good foundation and the authority of the Father, a good opportunity through the suffering and redemption of the son, who stands in for all human suffering in the world and hard/diffcult choices that comes with the figuring out how to end that suffering.
And there's a third part that gets drowned out by worldly humdrum, and that part is opening our "one good eye to grace".
Sometimes we can use our experience (& historical experience, which ususally results in law) to eliminate suffering. Other times we have to turn to the Holy Ghost, the continuation of God/Christ's grace. In this movie Frankie, who is the father, is given an opportunity through Maggie, who is the son to be redeemed. He is redeemed only because he gave up his chances for Heaven (IRA Diner, authentic-not0-canned lemon meringue pie - all three perfect layers) to answer his friend's prayer/plea. He almost found out how he could do this through prayer (on his knees all by himself in his room, through his priest, who really was his own traditional mind in a religious box - even foundational sentiment counts, and reading Yeats poetry and ancient history/law told in his native tongue). The rest he found out by letting the same Holy Ghost who led him to the baptismal water of "unprotecting" himself through love, direct his heart in the effort to clear his mind.
Sound too deep for one little movie. Well, go back and see it just one more time, if you will. You will see a moving painting this time, with lots of fun to find stuff. Even the stereotyping is fun, because it's an ancient fable that unravels an ancient mystery:) Is is one God or is it three? Can we be saved after our human acts of disobedience by trying to earn our salvation? I think the film (visual and story) tells us it is one God and three - Room 301 -Maggie's hospital room #, and a resounding no to the latter, salvation is only assured through loving selflessly. The Bible tells me so.
P.S. I guess the easiest way to think about it is: Was this a movie about Frankie? Was this a movie about Maggie? Was this a movie about Scrap? It was a movie about all of them and a movie about me, cuz I know that horrible opportunity is coming. I pray I will be a hero too. The odds: 3 to 1 (occupant grins).
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