Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
It’s strange the way Warner sort of snuck this one onto the release schedule for December. They must really like it or think it’s got a shot at some awards. Does today’s reader agree?
Hey Harry,
Just got back from a little screening of Clint Eastwood's, "The Million Dollar Baby." We got to see Paul Haggis who wrote the screenplay and is producing the film. Anyway, basically the story is about Hilary Swank playing Maggie Fitzgerald, a woman determined to be a boxer. Clint Eastwood steps in as a veteran badass at fighting who decides to train with her and get her in shape.
First off, most people are probably wondering if Clint stayed up to the standards of Mystic River or if he dropped back to Bloodwork style. Well, Mystic River's standards can't be met here. But the film does manage to stand far above Bloodwork.
Hilary Swank, who got in shape for this film, proved her training and does a good job as playing the determiend Maggie. But I have to stress the word 'good', as she didn't do anything really mindblowing to deserve serious recognition for it. But atleast she was able to help the film stand up.
The film's really core of excellency is due to Eastwood's directing and acting and Morgan Freeman's performance as Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris. Morgan manages to upstage the entire cast in every scene he's in (even each character's 'key' dramatic scenes) Freeman went on to show he's still a great actor these days (give him an Oscar damnit!) And I can see him getting recognition for it.
Back on Eastwood, he does bring back memories of Raging Bull with the dramatic camera scenes in the fights in between the film. His acting as Frankie even brings back memories of Mickey (only he's a even bigger hardass) So, while he didn't reach River, he still kept in close range of being a first rate director.
In summary, if you see these film, look out for Morgan's great performance and Eastwood's good directing. It's definitely one I'd recommend to folks.
- Jeffrey 'Lebowski' Simpson
Thanks, Lebowski. Sounds like Clint in a minor key, but that’s often a good thing.
"Moriarty" out.
