MILLION DOLLAR MISSED OPPORTUNITY What Clint Eastwood's Oscar-winning Movie could have done

The Weekly Standard ^ | March 01, 2005 | Wesley J. Smith

[sinanju]

IF ACADEMY AWARDS were given for the greatest lost opportunity, Million Dollar Baby would have won them, too.

(snip)

Nor is this a story line of recent vintage. Indeed, in the past movies were made as explicit propaganda to promote the legalization and legitimacy of active euthanasia. The most notorious of these is the 1939 German movie, I Accuse (Ich Klage An), a film that, with Goebbles's blessing, both promoted voluntary euthanasia as well as the propriety of killing disabled infants--to blockbuster success at the box office.

(snip

Secondly, while it is true that many people who become quadriplegic later in life become very depressed and suicidal--like Maggie in the movie--studies show that such existential despair is not usually permanent. Indeed, one medical report published several years ago found that the level of depression in people disabled later in life to be no different five years post-injury than that found among the able bodied. Moreover, people suffering the emotional agony that Maggie experienced in the film can be treated for their depression and their suicides prevented--without being force-sedated.

(snip)

Rather than allowing Maggie to surrender in bleak despair, Frankie could have instead boosted her confidence, just as he did when she was boxing. He could have brought other disabled people to see Maggie whose lives would have illustrated the rich possibilities for living amidst even the most difficult disabilities. Frankie could have talked her through the months of grueling physical therapy and given her the quiet strength to confront her venal parents. Maggie might not believe in herself anymore, Eastwood's Frankie could have barked, but he'd be damned if she could ever make him stop believing in her!

[sinanju]

This is one of the better conservative critiques of that movie. I agree that Clint was not out to serve anyone's political ideology. He's just not like that. He was simply filming an acclaimed sportswriter's novella. Nevertheless, he could have gone the extra mile and made it really inspiring. If anyone out there has actually seen the movie or read the actual story from which its taken; I would like to get their opinion.

[D-fendr]

I'm mostly disappointed in Clint's refusal to take responsibility for his film's message.

If this is what he believes he should stand up for it. If not, he shouldn't have made the film.

[MarMema]

Wesley at his best, yet again.

[MarMema]

Eastwood Continues Disability Vendetta with "Million Dollar Baby"

Perhaps this movie is Dirty Harry’s revenge for being sued in 1997 after refusing to include $7000 worth of accessible bathrooms in his 6.7 million dollar resort renovation. Eastwood spearheaded the call to weaken the ADA by including a detrimental ninety-day notification provision. The fact that Eastwood refused pre-lawsuit notification via certified mail and was sued under California state law not the ADA came out at a subsequent congressional hearing.

"Many people with SCI and other disabilities survive, thrive, and contribute to our society," stated Roth. "Dirty Harry could win the day and show us all a better use of his legendary talent by portraying disabled lives well-lived rather than sending the damaging message "better dead than disabled."