FACTOID # 152: Of the eight countries which include the word "democratic" in their conventional long form name, three are dictatorships: North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic) and the Democratic republic of the Congo.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

FACTS & STATISTICS    Simple view

  1. Select countries to view: (hold down Control key and click to select several)

     

     

    Compare:

     

     

  1. Select fact or statistic: (* = graphable)

     

     

     

  2. (OPTIONAL) Compare to statistic: (both need to be graphable)

     

     

     

  3. View result as:

     

       
(OR) SEARCH ALL encyclopedia, stats & forums:   

Encyclopedia > Million Dollar Baby
Million Dollar Baby
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Produced by Clint Eastwood
Albert S. Ruddy
Tom Rosenberg
Written by F.X. Toole (story)
Paul Haggis (screenplay)
Starring Clint Eastwood
Hilary Swank
Morgan Freeman
Music by Clint Eastwood
Cinematography Tom Stern
Editing by Joel Cox
Distributed by -USA-
Warner Bros.
-non USA-
Lakeshore Entertainment
Release date(s) December 15, 2004
Running time 132 minutes
Language English
Budget $30 million USD
IMDb profile

Million Dollar Baby is an Academy Award winning 2004 dramatic film directed by Clint Eastwood. Poster for Million Dollar Baby. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Albert S. Ruddy (Born: March 28, 1930) is a Canadian filmmaker. ... Tom B. Rosenberg is an American film producer as well as founder and chairman of Lakeshore Entertainment. ... F.X. Toole is the pen name of boxing trainer Jerry Boyd (1930 — September 2, 2002). ... Paul Edward Haggis (born March 10, 1953 in London, Ontario) is an Academy Award-winning Canadian screenwriter, film director and a director/producer of television programs working in Hollywood. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. ... Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and regular film narrator. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Tom Stern is an American actor, director, writer, and producer. ... Warner Bros. ... Lakeshore Entertainment Group is an American independent film production company founded in 1994 by Tom Rosenberg. ... December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... ISO 4217 Code USD User(s) the United States, the British Virgin Islands, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Panama, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the insular areas of the United States Inflation 3. ... Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Film is a term that encompasses individual motion pictures, the field of film as an art form, and the motion picture industry. ... The film director, on the right, gives last minute direction to the cast and crew, whilst filming a costume drama on location in London. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ...


The film stars Eastwood, Hilary Swank, and Morgan Freeman. It is the story of an under-appreciated boxing trainer, his elusive past and his quest for atonement in helping an underdog amateur female boxer (the film's title character) achieve her fragile dream of becoming a professional. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. ... Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and regular film narrator. ... For other uses, see Atonement (disambiguation). ... Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ... The Academy Award for Best Picture is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; the awards are voted on by other people within the industry. ...


The screenplay was written by Paul Haggis, based on short stories by F.X. Toole, the pen name of fight manager and "cutman" Jerry Boyd. Originally published under the title Rope Burns, the stories have since been republished under the movie's title. Paul Edward Haggis (born March 10, 1953 in London, Ontario) is an Academy Award-winning Canadian screenwriter, film director and a director/producer of television programs working in Hollywood. ... F.X. Toole is the pen name of boxing trainer Jerry Boyd (1930 — September 2, 2002). ... Cutman Dave Tenny working on Cathy Wildcat Collins during a boxing bout. ...


It was released on DVD on July 12, 2005. It was released on HD DVD on April 18, 2006 [1], one of the earliest releases on that media format. DVD (commonly Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc) is an optical disc storage media format that can be used for data storage, including movies with high video and sound quality. ... July 12 is the 193rd day (194th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 172 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... HD-DVD disc HD DVD (for High Density Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical media format which is being developed as one standard for high-definition DVD. HD DVD is similar to the competing Blu-ray Disc, which also uses the same CD sized (120 mm diameter) optical data... April 18 is the 108th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (109th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

Contents

Plot

Clint Eastwood plays the boxing manager who is less than keen on taking on chances. He has a relativley disaballed relationship with his daughter, she refuses to accept his letters. Hillary Swank plays the role of Maggie the only female boxer that Clint Eastwood's character ever took on, the two form a father daughter relationship (as Maggie's father is deceased). Maggie goes on to win many coveted titles in the female boxing world but later goes on to take a carreer shattering fall in the ring that paralises her. Maggie ends up paralysed in a florida hospital where her manager (Clint Eastwood) is a regular attender. Her family come vistit her in hospital with a lawyer and a contract that says her fortune will be passed on to them if she dies. Maggie swiftly dissmisses them on account of their cold behaviour and materialistic intentions. Maggie tries to commit suicide many time by biting her tongue. Meanwhile Morgan Freeman's character is providing- who plays the Janitor and provides spiritual guidance for "Danger"- a commentary on the events that follow "Frankie Dunn" and "Maggie" Morgan Freeman is actually writing a letter to Frankie's daughter after he dissapears when he KIlls maggie in the hospital (as an act of mercy). Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Hilary Swank (born July 30, 1974 in Lincoln, Nebraska) is an American actress. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and regular film narrator. ...

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Maggie (Hilary Swank), a young female amateur who aspires to prove her worth by becoming a successful boxer, is taken in by Frank Dunn (Clint Eastwood), a down-and-out boxing trainer who has been cast aside by most of society, including his estranged daughter Katie. Dunn aids Maggie in realizing her goal while developing a stronger-than-blood bond. Initially, Dunn is dispassionate toward Maggie because she is a 31-year-old female. Maggie, however, perseveres in her attempts to gain Dunn's favor by training each day in his gym, even when others discourage her. Frank's friend and employee, ex-boxer Eddie "Scrap Iron" Dupris (Morgan Freeman), sympathizes with Maggie's efforts and convinces Dunn to coach her short-term (Dupris is also the narrator of the film, who reveals the extent to which Maggie and Dunn's relationship transforms both their lives). Image File history File links Wiki_letter_w. ... Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and regular film narrator. ...

Clint Eastwood in Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood in Million Dollar Baby

Having experienced no intimate relationship with his own daughter, Dunn forms a stronger bond with Maggie, whose family does not care for her well-being, and decidedly coaches and manages her professional career. With his expertise, Maggie fights her way up to the women's welterweight boxing division, eventually placing a match in Las Vegas against the WBA women's welterweight champion (played by real life boxer Lucia Rijker), who is known for her foul play. During the match, an attack after the bell by her opponent sends Maggie crashing to the mat, directly in the path of her corner stool. Dunn frantically tries to move it out of the way, but cannot. As a result, Maggie hits it with neck-shattering force and is severely paralyzed. Dunn, venting his rage at the unjust circumstance, originally blames Dupris for convincing him to bring her in but in the end blames himself for her downfall having trained her against his better judgment. Image File history File links Clint_eastwood_old. ... Image File history File links Clint_eastwood_old. ... Welterweight is a weight class division in combat sports. ... For other uses around the city, see Las Vegas metropolitan area and Las Vegas Strip. ... World Boxing Association (WBA) is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title, at the professional level. ... Lucia Rijker (born December 7, 1967) is a Dutch professional female boxer and kickboxer. ...


In the medical rehabilitation facility, Maggie holds out hope for her family in visiting her, whom Dunn makes repeated calls about the tragic news but to no avail. However, the family arrives several days later (in theme park wardrobe) with an attorney in tow to turn over Maggie's fortunes to them. This appalls Dunn who realizes their motives but when her mother insists that Maggie sign the paperwork that would confirm the family as the beneficiary, she sees through the facade and tells her mother off for good. Eventually, Maggie confides to Dunn that she has "seen it all" and asks to be relieved of suffering. Dunn flat out refuses and begins to question the morality of it all, even speaking with a priest who objects. She attempts suicide by biting her tongue multiple times in an attempt to bleed to death. Her attempt fails since her efforts are subdued and causes Dunn to realize that her suffering should last no more. Dunn ultimately commits euthanasia by injecting her with an overdose of adrenaline. As the narrator, Dupris states that Dunn then disappears. The film's narration by Dupris is revealed to be a letter to Dunn's daughter, who has forsaken him all the while, to inform her of her father's true character. For the program to kill people with disabilities in Nazi Germany, see Action T4. ... Epinephrine (INN) or adrenaline (BAN) is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. ...

Spoilers end here.

Featured cast

Actor Role
Jay Baruchel Lanre Barch
Clint Eastwood Frankie Dunn
Morgan Freeman Eddie 'Scrap' Dupris
Anthony Mackie Shawrelle Berry
Margo Martindale Maggie's mother
Benito Martinez Billie's Manager
Brían F. O'Byrne Father Horvak
Michael Peña Omar
Lucia Rijker Billie 'The Blue Bear'
Hilary Swank Maggie Fitzgerald

Full cast and credit listing available. Jonathan Adam Saunders Baruchel (born April 9, 1982), better known as Jay Baruchel, is a Canadian actor. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and regular film narrator. ... Anthony Mackie (born c. ... Margo Martindale (born July 18, 1951, in Jacksonville, Texas) is a Tony Award-nominated stage, television and film actress. ... Benito Martinez as David Acevada in The Shield Benito Martinez is an actor from Guatemala, best known as police captain (later city councilman) David Aceveda in FX Networks acclaimed crime drama The Shield. ... Brían F. OByrne (sometimes billed as Brian F. OByrne or Brian OByrne) is an acclaimed theatre and film actor. ... Michael Peña as Will Jimeno in Oliver Stones World Trade Center. ... Lucia Rijker (born December 7, 1967) is a Dutch professional female boxer and kickboxer. ... Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. ...


Awards and nominations

Million Dollar Baby received the Best Picture of 2004 at the 77th Academy Awards. Eastwood was awarded his second Directing Oscar for the film and also received a Best Actor nomination. Swank and Freeman received Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor Oscars. The film was also nominated for the Film Editing and Writing Adapted Screenplay awards. The film beat what many thought to be the front-runner, Martin Scorsese's The Aviator, which had won the Golden Globe and the BAFTA for Best Drama. However, Million Dollar Baby was more popular with critics. // The Academy Award for Best Motion Picture is one of the Academy Awards, awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which are voted on by others within the industry. ... 77th Academy Awards Sunday, February 27, 2005 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California Hosts Preshow: Billy Bush, Jann Carl, Chris Connelly & Shaun Robinson Show: Chris Rock Crew Producer: Gilbert Cates Director: Louis J. Horvitz Duration 3 hours, 10 minutes The 77th Academy Awards, honoring the best in film for... The Academy Award for Directing is an accolade given to the person that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences feels was best director of the past year. ... The Academy Award for Best Actor is one of the awards given to male actors working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... The Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the awards given to actresses, or female actors, working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... The Academy Award for Film Editing was first given for films issued in 1934. ... The Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay is one of the Academy Awards, the most prominent film awards in the United States. ... Martin Luciano Scorsese (born November 17, 1942) is an iconic, critically acclaimed American film director. ... The Aviator is an Academy Award-winning 2004 biographical drama film, directed by Martin Scorsese. ...


The film was also nominated for and won a number of Golden Globes, SAG Awards and the Directors's Guild Awards.


2005 Academy Awards (Oscars) 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ...

2005 Amanda Awards The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and regular film narrator. ... The Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the awards given to actresses, or female actors, working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. ... The Academy Award for Directing is an accolade given to the person that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences feels was best director of the past year. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... // The Academy Award for Best Motion Picture is one of the Academy Awards, awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which are voted on by others within the industry. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Albert S. Ruddy (Born: March 28, 1930) is a Canadian filmmaker. ... Tom B. Rosenberg is an American film producer as well as founder and chairman of Lakeshore Entertainment. ... The Academy Award for Best Actor is one of the awards given to male actors working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... The Academy Award for Film Editing was first given for films issued in 1934. ... The Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay is one of the Academy Awards, the most prominent film awards in the United States. ... Paul Edward Haggis (born March 10, 1953 in London, Ontario) is an Academy Award-winning Canadian screenwriter, film director and a director/producer of television programs working in Hollywood. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Amanda is an award given annually at the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund, Norway, since 1985. ...

2005 American Cinema Editors (Eddies) Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Founded in 1950, American Cinema Editors (ACE) is an honorary society of film editors that are voted in based on the qualities of professional achievements, their education of others, and their dedication to editing itself. ...

  • Nominated - Best Edited Feature Film — Joel Cox

2005 American Screenwriters Association 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

2005 Art Directors Guild 4th Discover Screenwriting Award The 4th Discover Screenwriting Award, given by the American Screenwriters Association, honored the best screenwriter(s) of 2004. ... Paul Edward Haggis (born March 10, 1953 in London, Ontario) is an Academy Award-winning Canadian screenwriter, film director and a director/producer of television programs working in Hollywood. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Art Directors Guild is the guild of the American Art Directors. ...

  • Nominated - Feature Film - Contemporary Film — Henery Bumstead, Jack G. Taylor Jr.

2005 Black Reel Awards 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Black Reel Awards began in 2000 and were designed to annually recognize and celebrate the achievements of African-Americans in feature, independent and television films. ...

2005 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and regular film narrator. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) is the largest film critics organization in the U.S. and Canada, representing 199 television, radio and online critics. ...

2005 Casting Society of America (Artios) The Critics Choise Award for Best Actress is one of the nineteen awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Broadcast Film Critics Association. ... Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. ... The Critics Choise Award for Best Supporting Actor is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Broadcast Film Critics Association. ... Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and regular film narrator. ... The Critics Choice Award for Best Director is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Broadcast Film Critics Association. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... The Critics Choise Award for Best Picture is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Broadcast Film Critics Association. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Founded in Los Angeles, California in 1982, the Casting Society of America (CSA) is a professional society of about 350 casting directors for film, television, and theatre in Australia, Canada, England, Italy, and the United States. ...

2006 - César Award Phyllis Huffman (1945 – 2006), born Phyllis M. Grennan, was an Emmy Award-nominated casting director for film and television. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The César Award is the national film award of France first given out in 1975. ...

2005 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards César Award for Best Foreign Film: 2005 : Lost in Translation (USA), directed by Sofia Coppola 2004 : Mystic River (USA), directed by Clint Eastwood 2003 : Bowling for Columbine (USA), directed by Michael Moore 2002 : Mulholland Drive (USA), directed by David Lynch 2001 : In the Mood for Love (Hong Kong), directed... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Chicago Film Critics Association is an American film critic association. ...

2005 Directors Guild of America Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... DGA Headquarters in Hollywood, California Directors Guild of America (DGA) is the labor union which represents the interests of film and television directors in the United States motion picture industry. ...

2005 Director's Guild of Great Britain Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Timothy Keith Moore is a Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the states one hundred eleventh House district, including constituents in Cleveland county. ... Robert Lorenz is an Academy Award-nominated producer, best known for his collaborations with Clint Eastwood. ... Ryan Craig (born 1972) is a British play-writer. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Directors Guild of Great Britain is an organisation set up in London to represent directors in all media: film, television, theatre, radio, opera, commercials, corporate, multimedia and new technology. ...

  • Nominated - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in International Film — Clint Eastwood

2005 ESPY Awards Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The 10th Anniversary ESPY Award. ...

  • Nominated - Best Sports Movie

2005 Florida Film Critics Circle 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) is an organization of film reviewers from Florida-based publications. ...

2005 Golden Globe Awards The Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress is an award given by the Florida Film Critics Circle to honor the finest female lead acting achievementes in filmmaking. ... Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are American awards for motion pictures and television programs, given out each year during a formal dinner. ...

  • Won - Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama — Hilary Swank
  • Nominated - Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture — Morgan Freeman
  • Nominated - Best Motion Picture (Drama)

2006 Grammy Awards The Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture - Drama was first awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association as a separate category in 1951. ... Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. ... Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture has been awarded annually since 1944 by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture was first awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in 1944 for a performance in a motion picture released in the previous year. ... Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and regular film narrator. ... Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama has been awarded annually since 1944 by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. ... For the main article see Golden Globe Awards. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Grammy Award statuette The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music...

2005 Image Awards I like to MOO MOO MOO and eat GRASS! ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The NAACP Image Award is an award presented annually by the NAACP to honor the top African-Americans in film, television, music and literature. ...

2005 MTV Movie Awards The NAACP Image Award winners for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Categories: NAACP Image Awards ... Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and regular film narrator. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The MTV Movie Awards is a film awards show presented annually on MTV. It also contains movie parodies that used official movie footage with hosts and other celebrities and music performances. ...

  • Nominated - Best Female Performance — Hilary Swank

2005 Motion Picture Sound Editors (Golden Reel Award) Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Founded in 1953, Motion Picture Sound Editors (M.P.S.E.) is an honorary society of motion picture sound editors. ...

  • Nominated - Best Sound Editing in Domestic Features: Sound Effects/Foley — Alar Robert Murray, Bub Asman, David Grimaldi, Jason King

2004 National Board of Review of Motion Pictures David Grimaldi (entomologist) (born September 22, 1957) is an entomologist and Curator of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. ... Jason King can refer to: Jason King (journalist), a cultural critic and musician. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures was founded in 1909 in New York City, just 13 years after the birth of cinema, to protest New York City Mayor George B. McClellan, Jr. ...

  • Special Achievement Award — Clint Eastwood, For producing, directing, acting and composing.

2004 New York Film Critics Circle Awards Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... New York Film Critics Circle Awards are given annually to honor excellence in cinema worldwide by an organization of film reviewers from New York City-based publications. ...

2005 PGA Golden Laurel Awards Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Producers Guild of America (PGA) is a trade organization representing the television and film producers in the United States. ...

2004 Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Albert S. Ruddy (Born: March 28, 1930) is a Canadian filmmaker. ... Tom B. Rosenberg is an American film producer as well as founder and chairman of Lakeshore Entertainment. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS) is an organization of film reviewers from Phoenix-based publications. ...

  • Won - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role — Hilary Swank

2004 San Diego Film Critics Society Awards Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) is an organization of film reviewers from San Diego-based publications. ...

2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.) is the labor union representing over 120,000 film actors in the United States. ...

  • Won - Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role — Morgan Freeman
  • Won - Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role — Hilary Swank

2005 Writers Guild of America Awards Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and regular film narrator. ... Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. ... Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning American actor, film director, and regular film narrator. ... Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Annual awards given out by the Writers Guild of America for outstanding achievements in film, TV, or radio writing. ...

  • Nominated - Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published — Paul Haggis

Paul Edward Haggis (born March 10, 1953 in London, Ontario) is an Academy Award-winning Canadian screenwriter, film director and a director/producer of television programs working in Hollywood. ...

Critical Reception

The film received highly positive reviews with the review tallying website rottentomatoes.com reporting that 189 out of the 206 reviews they tallied were positive for a score of 92% and a certification of "fresh".[2] Roger Ebert gave the film four stars and stated that, "Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" is a masterpiece, pure and simple, "[3] listing it as the best film of 2004. Rotten Tomatoes (http://www. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...


Criticism

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Disability rights activists

In January and February 2005, the film became controversial when some disability rights activists protested the ending of the film, in which Frank carries out Maggie's wish to die after she becomes quadriplegic as a result of a spinal cord injury suffered during her last fight. Prominent among these critics was John Hockenberry, long-time NPR and NBC correspondent and paraplegic[1] [2]. [3] The disability rights movement aims to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. ... Quadriplegia is caused by damage to the spinal cord at a high level (e. ... Segmental Spinal Cord Level and Function Level Function Cl-C6 Neck flexors Cl-T1 Neck extensors C3, C4, C5 Supply diaphragm (mostly C4) C5, C6 Shoulder movement, raise arm (deltoid); flexion of elbow (biceps); C6 externally rotates the arm (supinates) C6, C7, C8 Extends elbow and wrist (triceps and wrist... John Hockenberry (b. ...


The Weekly Standard also criticized the movie for its ending and for missed opportunities [4]. The Weekly Standard is an American neoconservative political magazine published 48 times per year. ...


Medical Criticisms

The neutrality of this article is disputed.
Please see the discussion on the talk page.

The ending of the film is based on the myth that a patient of sound mind cannot have her life support removed. In reality, if the patient is aware and awake enough to instruct someone to end her treatment, she can simply order the hospital to cease care and the hospital must comply once the necessary legal forms are secured. Attempting to force treatment on a person of sound mind who refuses it is considered assault. A patient may also specify her wishes for treatment ahead of time in the form of a living will. However, if the patient can communicate and is of sound mind after the injury, it is a simple matter of instructing the hospital to cease care. There is absolutely no rule prohibiting a patient from securing a do not resuscitate order after an injury has taken place, as some appear to believe. Nor is there any presumption that a patient who is paralyzed is of unsound mind. Most people with spinal injuries continue to direct their legal affairs, though they may arrange to have power of attorney given to a third party if they become unconscious. Merely being on pain killers or being depressed does not remove a patient's ability to direct his or her legal affairs. Image File history File links Unbalanced_scales. ... A living will, also called will to live, advance health directive, or advance health care directive, is a specific type of power of attorney or health care proxy or advance directive. ... A DNR/DNI, or Do Not Resuscitate/Do Not Intubate order, is a written order from a doctor that resuscitation should not be attempted if a person suffers cardiac or respiratory arrest. ... A power of attorney or letter of attorney in common law systems or mandate in civil law systems is an authorization to act on someone elses behalf in a legal or business matter. ...


Refusing treatment has never been considered by the judicial system to be a form of suicide, and enforcing a DNR order is not considered assisted suicide. Medical staff refusing to comply with a lawful DNR is unlawful and may result in both civil and criminal consequences. Euthanasia (Greek, good death) is the practice of killing a person or animal, in a painless or minimally painful way, for merciful reasons, usually to end their suffering. ...


Hollywood has placed similar "pull the plug" sequences in films for many decades. They serve as a dramatic convention to create conflict between personal loyalty and the obligation to the laws of the state. The fact that there are not and never have been any laws obligating the very ill to accept treatment has not prevented this motif being used.


Christian Right and social conservatives

Possibly around the same time, the movie was criticized by activists from the Christian Right and social conservatives, including Rush Limbaugh and Michael Medved, on the same issue.[5] Medved stated that: "My main objection to Million Dollar Baby always centered on its misleading marketing, and effort by Warner Brothers to sell it as a movie about a female Rocky, with barely a hint of the pitch-dark substance that led Andrew Sarris of the New York Observer to declare that 'no movie in my memory has depressed me more than Million Dollar Baby'" [6]. The Christian right is a term collectively referring to a spectrum of right-wing Christian political and social movements and organizations characterized by their strong support of social values they deem in line with traditional Christian values in [[Western world by a wide range of commentators. ... Social conservatism is a belief in traditional or natural law-based morality and social mores and the desire to preserve these in present day society, often through civil law or regulation. ... Rush Hudson Limbaugh III (born January 12, 1951) is an American radio talk show host. ... Michael Medved Michael Medved (born October 3, 1948) is an American nationally syndicated conservative radio talk show host, film critic and author. ... Rocky is a 1976 film written by and starring Sylvester Stallone and directed by John G. Avildsen. ...


Irish language speakers

Some Irish speakers have also criticized the fact that the phrase Mo Chúisle (pronounced Muh Khooshla), a term of endearment meaning My pulse, [4] was misspelled in the movie as Mo Cuishle, as shown on the back of Maggie's robe. In Irish and other Goidelic languages, consonants soften when preceded by a vowel, hence the "c" in "cúisle" turns into a guttural "ch". It is translated in the film as "My darling, my blood". The original phrase is short for A chúisle mo chroí, meaning "O, pulse of my heart" [5]. Nevertheless, it was cited as one of the most influential phrases from a Hollywood film that year. The movie has also been praised for awakening interest in the Irish language in the U.S. [5]. The Goidelic languages (also sometimes called the Gaelic languages or collectively Gaelic) are one of two major divisions of modern-day Insular Celtic languages (the other being the Brythonic languages). ... Lenition is a kind of consonant mutation that appears in many languages. ...


Responses to criticism

Eastwood responded to the criticism by pointing out the movie was about the American dream [7]. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Eastwood distanced himself from the actions of characters in his films, noting, "I've gone around in movies blowing people away with a .44 magnum. But that doesn't mean I think that's a proper thing to do" [8]. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times, who named the film his favorite of 2004, believes "a movie is not good or bad because of its content, but because of how it handles its content. Million Dollar Baby is classical in the clean, clear, strong lines of its story and characters, and had an enormous emotional impact" [9]. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Los Angeles Times (also known as the LA Times) is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California and distributed throughout the Western United States. ... Dirty Harry is the name of a series of films starring fictional SFPD detective Dirty Harry Callahan, portrayed by Clint Eastwood. ... .44 Magnum The . ... Russ Meyer (left) and Roger Ebert, (1970) Roger Joseph Ebert (June 18, 1942 - ) is an Emmy Award-nominated American television personality, author, and film critic who began writing for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1967. ... Chicago Sun-Times The Chicago Sun-Times is an American newspaper publishing out of Chicago, Illinois. ...


Trivia

  • Upon its original release, all editions of the Region 1 DVD, except for the "Deluxe Edition", came with a paperback copy of the book Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner.
  • The American version of The Office referenced the movie in the episode "Grief Counseling". Michael had the office workers sit in a circle to talk about their lost loved ones and the assiciated emotions. Pam didn't take the game seriously and retold the storyline of this movie, her great aunt the female boxer.
  • The scene where Maggie breaks her neck is parodied in Scary Movie 4, in which a boxer resembling Mike Tyson in drag causes a chain reaction in which Cindy's trainer, the referee and everyone in the audience to break their necks.

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with DVD-Video. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... The Office is a television show, broadcast by NBC and co-produced by Deedle-Dee Productions and Reveille Productions, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio. ... Scary Movie 4 is a sequel to Scary Movie 3 that is directed by David Zucker, written by Craig Mazin and Pat Proft, and produced by Craig Mazin and Robert K. Weiss. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

References

  1. ^ Business Wire Warner Home Video to Deliver First HD DVD Titles to The Marketplace. March 16, 2006
  2. ^ rottentomatoes.com, Million Dollar Baby entry, accessed January 8, 2007
  3. ^ rogerebert.com, Million Dollar Baby review, accessed January 8, 2007
  4. ^ IrishGaelicTranslator.com. Million Dollar Baby movie
  5. ^ a b Wes Davis Fighting Words. New York Times. February 26, 2005

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:
Million Dollar Baby

  Results from FactBites:
 
Movie Review: Million Dollar Baby (1268 words)
The Oscar™-nominated Million Dollar Baby is finally showing in wide release and, with all of the media and critical acclaim, it was a given that I'd be buying my tickets the moment the film arrived in my own cineplex.
Million Dollar Baby is a good movie, but it's not a great one despite its pretentions in that regard.
Million Dollar Baby is rated PG-13 for "violence, some disturbing images, thematic material, [and] language." I don't believe much of the movie is appropriate for those under 13, and many of those over 13 will be bored by it.
TheMovieBoy Review - Million Dollar Baby (2004) (777 words)
His latest motion picture, "Million Dollar Baby," is his most complete and compelling achievement of the last decade, a wrenching, exquisitely acted drama set in the world of boxing that, thematically, has nothing to do with the sport.
Essentially, "Million Dollar Baby" is the story of a man in search of the acceptance of his daughter and a young woman without a father who are brought together just when they need a connection most, forming a close relationship more powerfully symbolic than that of student and mentor.
"Million Dollar Baby" is a wonderfully welcome surprise, a film that, like 2004's "Sideways," seemingly comes out of nowhere and blindsides you with its invigorating throwback to the days of non-flashy, vastly poignant character pieces, the kind that have become nearly extinct in today's cinematic landscape.
  More results at FactBites »


 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments
Please enter the 5-letter protection code

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.