That's cool, Giantrobo. I have to wonder, though, since you found it so predictable if I just had my "cinematic brain" turned off or something. Did others find it as predictable as Giantrobo? I'm curious.

I don't buy it. I knew there was a turn, but never knew when it would come, and then it did, and I was flabberghasted. If you really "predicted" it, goody for you, but it didn't undermine the power the story that unfolded before my eyes.

i too, was unable to predict the turn the story took.

Major spoiler warning!!

not to mention making it more commercial. you sound like a studio exec.

"goody for you"? You make it sound like I'm on some crusade to put down the film. It was just an opinion. But I guess I knew this type of remark was ahead.

Also, you don't buy what? I'm not selling anything or asking anyone to agree, or for that matter, disagree with me. It was just how I felt during the viewing. Again, I didn't say that feeling was good or bad and I didn't say it took away from the power of the story.

What's the point of posting a question like this? You stated you didn't agree with me so fine. End of story. Obviously I'm in the minority on my feelings towards this film so there's no need to "rally the troops" for support for a cuase that's already won.

Rally the troops? I was interested in seeing if others thought it was as predictable. I think you're getting a little defensive now. You're right---I don't agree with you. And that is the end of the story. But other people can answer my question without it being an attack on you. I have nothing against you or your opinion; nonetheless, I'm still curious as to how others saw the movie in regards to its narrative arc. So the answer to your question would be to further discussion.

You're right Corvin, I am being a bit "sensitive". Especially when your question attracted respones where I'm treated like "I'm trying to sell something". Not really your fault but you did ask for respones. Seriously, forgive me for being a bit sensitive.

Like I said, it was simply a case of feeling what was coming next. Not literally of course but for instance, It was no big deal and just the thoughts of one person. That person being me. It's nothing that you need to question to this degree.

Looks like there's a right-wing backlash brewing against this movie...

from http://www.imdb.com :

Guess it doesn't take much for the conservatives to turn on Dirty Harry...

Saw it. Great movie, no questioning that fact. It definitely had some of the sharpest dialouge I have heard in any movie in a long time, not to mention acting. I also like that is spent a lot of time on the politics of boxing as well as the actual fighting aspect. My only frustration is not with the ending as many people seem to have, but with the fact that politics play a larger role in determining who wins the Oscar as opposed to who deserves it. IMO, Hillary Swank should walk away with the award hands down. However, I have the feeling that the academy will more likely to honor Annette Bening for her work because she lost to Swank in 2000. I have not seen Being Julia , but doubt Bening could top Swank with her work.

My position exactly. Swank nailed the complete physical to emotional range of her performance to a T. I rarely ever cry at movies, but this was one of those rare times. I was semi-spoiled on another thread here from a missed warning, but I still wasn't prepared for the ending As a matter of fact I hope it sweeps all it's Oscar noms, as they are all well deserved. One of the best films I've seen in the past few years.

While some people think it looks like a grinning horse's mouth, I think Hillary Swank also has one of the most beautiful smiles in the world.

Watched the 60 Minutes interview with Hilary Swank, and Mike Wallace was impressed by her being one down-to-earth person.

Some tidbits from the interview:

She's a high school drop-out. Her and her mother lived in trailer homes, and when she was 15 and a half, they drove to LA with $75 and a Mobil gas card. They lived in their car for a couple of weeks, and then found friends who were selling their house, so they let them sleep during the night, and they had to vacate the premises during the day while the house was being shown. They slept on air mattresses during this time.

Her big break was getting fired from "90210" since it led to be released from her contract and allowed her to play Brandon Teena in "Boys Don't Cry".

When she played Brandon Teena in "Boys Don't Cry" she was paid $75/day or $3,000 for the job. Her health coverage didn't kick in until she could show $5,000 in earnings for the year, and after she won her Oscar, her health coverage bounced the coverage on her prescription due to her lack of earnings at her local pharmacy. How nutty is that: win an Oscar and still not have health insurance coverage due to the vagaries of being an actor.

While training for M$B, she developed a blister on her foot, popped it, and it got infected, and turned into a staph infection, and her doctor said that had she waited a few more hours before treatment, she would have been in real danger of having a widespread staph infection that could have proved fatal (if it travels to the heart). She didn't tell Clint or the producers while shooting the film, and that he'd only find out when this story aired.

Clint was also interviewed and said she was the best actress he'd ever worked with. Considering his resume, that's high praise coming from him.

I'm on the fence in regard to the film. While the performances were wonderful and Swank in particular is deserving of all the accolades in recognition of said performance, I too walked out after seeing this a few weeks ago with feelings similar to Giantrobo. The performaces are without question praise worth and the most impressive aspect of the film, it has a lovely measured and understated indie-like feel to it which harkens back to Eastwood's tried and true themes of mortality and redemption, however, at heart it's a rather simplistically cliched story, and not, in my opinion, deserving of all the hyperbolic acclaim it's been receiving. Admirable for its subtle storytelling sensibilities which I generally find lacking in contemporary cinema, universally moving characterizations by the cast portraying what I felt where essentially lightweight archetypal characters and winner by decision, but not a knockout.

I hate to "dumb down" the intriguing conversation this movie has sparked, but I hope that I am not the only person that noticed this...Hilary Swank has a really nice ass. When she's training with those pants on...DAMN!

Another thing. Did this movie remind anyone of The Professional?

Didn't want to be the first one to make a statement about Ms. Swank's booty, but when she was working out it did accentuate her curves rather well.

I didn't really see much of a link to The Professional, but the music and ending really seemed to have shadows of Unforgiven IMO.

Swank is an attractive woman period. I've been a fan of Lucia Rijker for a few years now.

OK, continuing this line of thought, I always thought she was damn hot in Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!

I could not believe how good this movie was. It stirred a lot of emotion inside of me without causing me to cry, etc.

I love how this movie deals with human nature and human struggles. It was an inspiring movie as well as a movie that caused me to pause and think about some of the issues that are brought up.

Eastwood is wonderful. He doesn't need to yell, cry, laugh, etc to show the emotion that he is dealing with...it's all in his eyes and sometimes his slight body motion. He was amazing.

Swank was great. She actually looked like she could fight...some of her punches looked to have some force...emotional punches as well

Morgan was the same 'ol Morgan but it took nothing away from the movie. How many times have I had to hear his voice over...and it still isn't old for me; he is perfect for this type of role.

10/10...great movie!!!

Million Dollar Baby WILL be considered a masterpiece as the years go by...even if it doesn't win the Oscar. Many critics thought UNFORGIVEN was horrible when it first came out (Ebert's initial review, if memory serves, gave it 2 1/2 stars...he later changed it) and now it's considered one of the best Westerns ever made.

Of course you're talking to someone who thinks MYSTIC RIVER is also a masterpiece of filmmaking and about 10 times better than RETURN OF THE KING, so maybe I'm not the best person to ask...I've been, and always will be a big fan of Eastwood as a director - I think he's brilliant.

Here's a question for those who have seen the film:

I was going to ask the same thing...But I think the only way to answer it is whatever you think, is the right answer.

Finally caught MDB this weekend. Great flick, Eastwood and Swank are great, and Freeman is excellent as always.

I didn't like it quite as much as some though, it's currently a distant third on my 2004 list, behind The Aviator and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. But still an excellent, moving flick.

Did a sort of double feature last night, saw Million Dollar Baby in theaters and Before Sunset on DVD.

While I must admit I was a bit more emotionally pulled by Sunset, MDB is one of those films I grow fonder of the more I reflect back. Initially I left thinking it was a good movie, but felt slightly underwhelmed. I realized my initial feelings were due to the fact that this movie doesn't have any 'big' showy Oscary moments. The fact is, 'big' things DO happen in this movie, but Eastwood doesn't take the manipulative road. He films every scene with the same weight and lets the viewer decide how to feel. The story is simple... but perfectly so.

very good analysis...my wife and i felt exactly the same way. no gimmics to make you ball your eyes out. the pain/emotion felt very real...like i didnt know what to do with it; rather than being forced to feel a certain way i guess.