 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Million Dollar Baby
- Review Date: July 14, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
Violent Oscar winner is inspiring but too intense for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the movie features brutally realistic fight scenes with graphic injuries. A character becomes paralyzed and asks to be allowed to die. Characters drink and smoke and use some strong language, including the "N" word. There are some mild sexual references and some ugly insults. Some viewers may be unhappy with the portrayal of a priest who uses bad language.
What's the story?
Tired old trainer Frankie (Clint Eastwood), abandoned by the prospect he hoped to take to the title bout, meets a scrappy but untrained would-be boxer. He initially refuses to train the kid, but he's won over, at first by the persistence, then by the heart of the young fighter. There's another connection between them, too. Frankie has no family but a long-estranged daughter, and the boxer's father is dead. The bond between them helps to ease both of their losses. One reason the relationship becomes so important to Frankie is that the boxer is a young woman. Maggie (Hillary Swank) gives Frankie the chance to bring all that's best in him to a nurturing relationship with a young woman about the age of his daughter, and Frankie gives Maggie the chance to be a champion.
Is it any good?
At first, MILLION DOLLAR BABY is a fresh, assured, and evocative take on the classic boxing formula. The details of the boxing world and Frankie's relationships with Maggie and with his long-time friend Eddie (Morgan Freeman, who also narrates) are warm and richly observed. Frankie and Eddie have the bickering banter of a longtime married couple, and pros Eastwood and Freeman riff off each other like jazz players who've been jamming for a lifetime. Eastwood is also marvelous with Swank in a performance that's fuller, fonder, and funnier than we've seen from him since the Any Which Way But Loose days. For the first half of the film, the narration, based on F.X. Toole's superb book and beautifully read by Freeman, is so vivid we can smell sweat and adrenaline.
Too bad Million Dollar Baby takes those great performances and throws some cliched sports metaphors their way. And when tragedy strikes, Frankie and Maggie have to make some tough choices. So does director Eastwood, and he makes the wrong ones, going for the manipulative and the maudlin, everyone lining up as either saintly or unredeemably awful.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what makes someone want to be a fighter. What does it mean to say that "everything in boxing is backward" and "sometimes the best way to deliver a punch is to step back?" How does that relate to the way the characters behave? Why does Frankie argue with the priest about theology? Do you agree with the sign in the gym that says "Winners are simply willing to do what losers won't?" What is it that winners are willing to do? How is the number one rule -- "protect yourself" -- applied by Frankie? By Maggie? By Eddie? Why did Maggie turn out so differently from her brother and sister? Families may also want to talk about Maggie's request and Frankie's decision.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
My 18 year old son cried!
When you have 3 children, ages 18, 15 and 11, sometimes that younger one just has to see some movies that are really a little too adult for him. This movie is one of those, but I don't think it did any harm and we had a lot of amazing discussions afterwards. 11 year olds can have very strong opinions and surprisingly mature thoughts on values about life and death and money and what makes people have a rewarding life. I can't say more without spoing the movie. I didn't have a problem with the violence because it is a movie about boxing--the violence is contained in the ring. Its not as if people on the street are getting beat up or blown away. I think you can stretch your younger children as long as you talk openly about the issues in the movie afterwards.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Best of the Year
I thought this was the best movie of 2004. As good or better than anything Eastwood has done as a director, plus it it includes one of his best performances, and sensational work by Morgan Freeman and Hillary Swank. A terrific script by Paul Haggis. The feel is reminiscent of the best of Howard Hawk's movies. It's funny, real, and touching without being sentimental. The Directors Guild just gave Eastwood their award this year and he deserves it. I don't think American movies get any better than this.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A boxing movie like no other....
Wow. Now this is what I would say if you said I had to describe it in one word, wow would be my answer. The acting was surperb from all of the three leads (Hillary Swank, Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freemon. Swank's accent could have been a tad better, but the movie was great...never the less.) It deserved every Oscar it was awarded (Especialy Freemon) even though The Avaitor was enother great flim. The boxing scene wan't too grapic. (No gore or anything.) This movie is on my Top 10 list. Hopefully, it's on yours.
Best wishes,
MovieFreak101
Ok for kids: 10+
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
million dollar baby
expect alot of violence in tyhis film, there are alot boxing matches with graphic and seious inguries. there is some sex but not alot. there is a refference to breasts as well scantily clad ring rings. launguage isn't bad but it isn't good either, f**k is said as well as the n-word. drinking and smoking is visible in this film. many people smoke and drink. there are also some role models as people have a good friendsihp
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Outstanding movie but very tough to watch
This was an excellent story but it included a lot of violence. People that are sensitive to violence depicted on the screen will be upset by many of the scenes.
All of the actors were believable. The script was well written.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
magnificent
a great movie for the whole family,there is one scene of gore but nothing extreme, boxing scenes never get graphic, and above all it is an extremely well done film.
ive seen it 13 times and im still not tired of it.migh be to graphic for kids under the age of 5.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
One of the best movies ever
Million Dollar Baby was a great movie. Laughs, action, and a good storyline are included in the package. A story that brings you up and down and never leaves you hanging. A good underdog story like Coach Carter. Five Stars!!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I'm sorry it took so long to review this, but...
I can't stand how everyone thought this was one of the best movies ever! I bought it when it came out on DVD because it ws supposed to be good, but it was just alright. It's better a second time, but JEEZ! It's not that great. If you really want the best movie of 2004, go watch "Ray", which was actually above average. And if you really want a good boxing movie, go buy "Cinderella Man", which was the most underwatched movie of 2005--and only wasn't nominated for Best Picture because no one wanted two boxing movies in a row--but was about ten times better than this movie. Oh, and one thing that was left out content wise: there was also one "f*ck" in there.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
good boxing flick
good movie some very violent moments f-word used and mouthed multipul times refrence to breasts as "tiny little mosqeto bites"15+
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Clint Eastwood |
| Cast: | Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 132 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 15, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | July 12, 2005 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | violence, some disturbing images, thematic material and language |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
