Without hope of recovery, she attempts suicide, before finally persuading Frankie to help her die. AskMen, Become a Better Man, Big Shiny Things, Mantics and guyQ are among the federally explicit permission. Please ignore rumors and hoaxes. With the help of her coach, Frank, Maggie is on her way to becoming one of the greatest boxers to ever live. It was after 'Million Dollar Baby' was released that her boxing career came to the limelight. Why isn't Maggie offered any psychiatric treatment for her depression? Right.) Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Ms. Million Dollar. Maggie Fitzgerald March 29, 2022 5-year and 30-year Treasury yields invert for the first time since 2006, fueling recession fears S&P 500 rises on Monday to extend two-week comeback, Nasdaq adds 1 . Gal. I cant help but to get really choked up when I write about Margaret Maggie Fitzgerald, the protagonist in the 2004 Academy Award-winning film, Million Dollar Baby. Shes a Wow! Maggie lands hard on her corner stool, breaking her neck and leaving her a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic. Medved, Michael. I found you a fighter. Daddy used to tell me Id fight my way into this world, and Id fight my way out., Living in Los Angeles, where she trains at the Hit Pit, a grimy downtown gym. At the outset, he flatly refuses saying he has no interest in training a girl. People die everyday, Frankie - mopping floors, washing dishes and you know what their last thought is? Mary Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgerald is a fictional character appearing in the 2004 film Million Dollar Baby. The website's critical consensus reads, "Clint Eastwood's assured directioncombined with knockout performances from Hilary Swank and Morgan Freemanhelp Million Dollar Baby to transcend its clichs, and the result is deeply heartfelt and moving. If we can get her trained up. The most important lesson he teaches his boxers is the one that rules life: above all, always protect yourself. So perhaps the real ethical question is not "why does Maggie want to die? Frankie says that he doesn't usually train girls, until he meets the tenacious Maggie. View the profiles of people named Maggie Fitzgerald. If she dies today you know what her last thought would be? Fought in the literal sense of the word. I still have a passion for all things boxing, as evidenced by the name of my furry red Somali cat, Lennox Lewis. Christopher Reeve, better known as Superman, fractured his neck in an equestrian accident, leaving him quadriplegic and dependent on a respirator to breathe. Theyve shunned her ever since she became a boxer. All we know, from the montages of her workouts at the Hit. Gal in the truest sense of how I define one insofar that she fought her way to the top. He trained under Dub Huntley, who taught him the tricks of the trade while also introducing him to some well known names in boxing. Million Dollar Baby (2004) But it does not require an edict from the Code of Jewish Law to recognize that Maggie is making the wrong choice. He didnt get to see the alternate version of his stories and neither did he see the increased popularity of his works, a couple of which were released posthumously. She is a transplant from working-class Missouri who arrives in Frankie Dunn's gym seeking his expertise. Showing Editorial results for maggie fitzgerald. Wanting to learn from the best, aspiring boxer Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) wants Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) to train her. The two travel to Europe as she continues to win; Maggie eventually saves up enough of her winnings to buy her mother a house, but her mother berates Maggie for endangering her government aid, claiming that everyone back home is laughing at her. And both took a. Portrayed by What is prudent is subjective, but that does not stop us from establishing societal norms. Thats Frankie Dunn, hes the famous trainer at The Hit Pit, in L.A, California. "I had it all," Maggie tells Frankie, "so don't take it away from me.". . Maggie becomes a popular fighter in Europe, where people cheer for her as Mo Cuishle. When Maggie and Frankie return to the United States, Maggie takes Frankie to meet her mother, for whom Maggie has bought a house. Maggie not only proves to be the boxer he always dreamed of having under his wing, but a friend who fills the great void he's had in his life. Hilary Swank bagged her second Oscar for the sheer determination and heartbreaking emotion on display as Maggie Fitzgerald, a 31-year-old waitress desperately clinging to her dream of . A fulfilling life requires hope for the future -- new vistas to reach, new goals to achieve. Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgerald, a waitress from the Ozarks, shows up at the Hit Pit, a rundown Los Angeles gym owned and operated by Frankie Dunn. * Ill get around to Jill later shes definitely another Wow! In her first scene she begs Clint Eastwoods jaded coach character to train her and simply wont take no for an answer, training at his gym day and all night until she eventually wins him over. If Im too old for this, then I got nothing.. The film takes the same route of a person completely drowning themselves in training for what they want in life, but in the second half, it takes an unexpected turn and turns into a tragedy. After losing a leg to gangrene, Maggie asks Frankie to kill her, as living in this condition is intolerable to her, but he will not. Million Dollar Baby, American dramatic film, released in 2004, that was directed by Clint Eastwood and starred Eastwood and Hilary Swank. Eastwood persuaded Lakeshore Entertainment's Tom Rosenberg to put up half the budget (as well as handle foreign distribution), with Warner Bros. contributing the rest. Million Dollar Baby was based on stories in Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner (2000), written by veteran boxing trainer and manager Jerry Boyd under the pen name F.X. Just before administering a fatal injection of adrenaline, he tells Maggie the meaning of "mo chuisle": "my darling, and my blood." He never returns to the gym. Frankie is also reluctant to let Big Willie fight in a title match. Stories of businessmen jumping off buildings after a stock market crash fill us with pity for the lost chance at intervention, not a feeling of satisfaction of them "having done the right thing. While he trained a lot of people in the field, he never got to make his dream of winning the world championship come true due to a boxing accident in 1970 that had left him with a detached retina. In case you havent seen the film, Hilary Swank played Maggie, and she looked majestic in this role: Hilary Swank as Maggie is some kinda BAD ASS. With Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel. Maggie Fitzgerald Remembered She was like a fire cracker. From a purely humanitarian approach, we may still question her autonomous decision. The Academy Award-winning movie, Million Dollar Baby, strikes deep at the issues of self-worth and the value of life. While working side jobs and trying to keep his writing career afloat, he decided to give a go to boxing. [19] 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. Maggie is tired of washing dishes and waiting on tables. "[10] On Metacritic it has a weighted average score of 86 out of 100, based on reviews from 39 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". A determined woman works with a hardened boxing trainer to become a professional. Swank does great at portraying the physical progression in her craft as she trains with intense discipline and Frankie Dunns guidance - rising from awkward, garbage-eating, survivor to a confident, powerful boxer rising rapidly through the ranks. Heres the answer. To take advantage of all of CharacTours features, you need your own personal Facebook gives people the. Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) is a veteran Los Angeles, California boxing trainer who keeps almost everyone at arm's length, except his old friend and associate Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris (Morgan Freeman). Read More:Best Boxing Movies of All Time. But is Maggie indeed Frankie's million-dollar baby? Wanting to learn from the best, aspiring boxer Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) wants Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) to train her. The fictional Fitzgerald was a Missourian born into trailer-home poverty who in her early thirties sees a chance for independence in the nascent world of women's boxing. Then tragedy strikes when her opponent a dirty fighter named Billie clocks her upside the chin, breaking her neck and rendering her a quadriplegic. Hilary Swank bagged her second Oscar for the sheer determination and heartbreaking emotion on display as Maggie Fitzgerald, a 31-year-old waitress desperately clinging to her dream of becoming a boxer. She trained for nearly five hours every day, winding up with a potentially life-threatening staphylococcus infection. I like to think that there are kick-ass gals out there like Maggie who are willing to go after their dreams, no matter how outr, dangerous or impossible they may seem to the rest of us rather boring folks. Hilary Swank as Maggie is some kinda BAD ASS. Toole, and was adapted for the screen by Paul Haggis. She retired Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Required fields are marked *. She ignited, flared, and became the brightest flame that lit up the night sky. Million Dollar Baby was theatrically released on December 15, 2004, by Warner Bros. Pictures. Toole, the pen name of fight manager and cutman Jerry Boyd. Profession coaching the inexperienced Maggie Fitzgerald. As she puts it, I was born two pounds, one-and-a-half ounces. She has also written and directed plays, dabbled in music, and served as an advocate for animal and human rights. She competed in the Junior Olympics and Washington State championships in swimming; she ranked 5th in the state in all-around gymnastics (which would come in handy for starring in The Next Karate Kid (1994) years later). Occupation Million Dollar Baby was theatrically released on December 15, 2004, by Warner Bros. Pictures. She eventually finds a. I was wrong to say that. Challenge proving her family wrong and boxing her way to the championship. (Note to readers: This story reveals a key plot twist in "Million Dollar Baby.") The film tells us the story of a poor but feisty young woman, Maggie (Hilary Swank), who wants Frankie (Clint . Even Warner Bros., Eastwood's longtime home base, would not agree to a $30 million budget. Maggie, born and raised in Missouri, has always had to fight for herself. Our society is so enamored with autonomy that we sometimes fail to consider other issues. Is it really possible for a person to want to live following an injury like Maggie's? However, as sheer determination forces the reluctant mentor to relent, Maggie soon finds herself on the fast track to making her dream come true. While the fictional Maggie is convinced that her life is over after her injury, the real Christopher Reeve chose to define himself not as the movie star he had been, but rather by his future potential -- limited in some respects, but boundless nonetheless. A determined woman works with a hardened boxing trainer to become a professional.A determined woman works with a hardened boxing trainer to become a professional.A determined woman works with a hardened boxing trainer to become a professional. But it's even more strikingly ironic that Christopher Reeve's most formidable accomplishments, what he will undoubtedly be remembered for above all else, came after he became a quadriplegic. Maggie Fitzgerald wins a "humble beginnings" contest nine times out of ten. Clint Eastwood was awarded his second Best Director Oscar for the film, and also received a Best Actor in a Leading Role nomination. We can all identify with Maggie's suffering: the glory that could have been and the horrible turn of events that has left her helpless. Maggie Fitzgerald (Swank) watches the match and later asks Frankie to train her, but he refuses. Million Dollar Baby: Directed by Clint Eastwood. Because of you Maggie got her shot. Scrap's narration is revealed to be a letter to Frankie's daughter, informing her of her father's true character. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. The film played in theaters for six and a half months. Maggie is a Wow! He respects her wishes and ushers her into that big ring in the sky. Daddy used to tell me I'd fight my way into this world, and I'd fight my way out." Living in Los Angeles, where she trains at the Hit Pit, a grimy downtown gym. Jewish law approaches the preservation of life as a moral obligation, but recognizes that there are times, particularly when a patient is terminally ill, when intervention should not be performed. in spades. Boxing movies are about rooting for the underdog and Maggie may the ultimate underdog on this list, delivering a character we root for her the whole way, no matter her fate. In Million Dollar Baby, what is presented as a question of the right to die is perhaps a distraction from the deeper question of responsibility to help our fellow human being. . As an actor, I had my reservations with him, but as a storyteller, I have truly inhaled him. As she tells him, I want a trainer. "[8], Consequently, to prepare for her role, Swank underwent extensive training in the ring and weight room, gaining 19 pounds of muscle, aided by professional trainer Grant L. Roberts. Yet Judaism categorically states that one may never actively shorten the life of even a terminally ill patient. registered trademarks of Ziff Davis Canada, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without Boyd had written the book when he was on the crux of 70, and died two years before the film arrived on the screens. Hollywood Athletic Club - 6525 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. Or that shed have given Frankie a glimmer of hope and picked a potato chip from the bowl a la Jill Kinmont* in The Other Side of the Mountain., Maggie fights on in my imagination. Then a second passed, her fire extinguished and she fell. Shes a welterweight boxer. (Um, yeah. Is Million Dollar Baby based on true events? Browse 46 maggie fitzgerald stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Maggie Fitzgerald Even though Maggies financial success is a boon to her terrible, unsupportive family, they are quite unamused by her success as a female boxer; her own mom tells her that her home girls and home boys are secretly making fun of her. It has been repeatedly shown that for a terminally ill patient in a hospice, the desire to live or die is closely tied to the quality of pain relief and emotional support. Biography She is a transplant from working-class Missouri who arrives in Frankie Dunn 's gym seeking his expertise. Indeed, Maggie's severely disabled state is an enormous challenge to the human spirit. Both Katie Dallam and Maggie Fitzgerald were born into poverty in Missouri and began boxing in their 30's. Both ended up in the ring against a much younger, stronger opponent. [11] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a grade "A" on an A+ to F scale. Billie the Blue Bear, dropping Maggie Fitzgerald's head across a stool, paralyzing her, freezing us, and how can anyone ever forgive that? The controversy failed to dent the films popularity. Maggie, born and raised in Missouri, has always had to fight for herself. As a society we would rather take a person's cry for help as a cry for death, rather than adequately fund the social services necessary to help people choose not to die. Frankie's glory days as a boxing coach are far behind him, though he's still on the lookout for the next superstar boxer. [1][2] Filming took place in Los Angeles and film sets at Warner Bros. Scrap gives Maggie some tips and lets her borrow a speed bag. You did that. There was always a poignant irony in the fact that someone famed for portraying a man with superhuman strength became, in a tragic instant, utterly dependent on others for his every need. Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris, Frankie's friend and employeethe film's narratorencourages and helps Maggie. Yet let us consider: If a physically healthy person, with a stable family, wealth, and a successful career, would state that he wants to die, we would naturally find it hard to support such a decision. No, Million Dollar Baby is not based on a true story. Maggie asks Frankie to train her, but he initially . You know that guy, the one whos been there, but not the star. So perhaps the real question is not whether we should be assisting those who wish to die, but rather how we can help people like Maggie choose not to die. When Boyd finally got to write down the book, he looked towards Huntley to create his characters, and delved into his experiences to forge the same for the people depicted in the book. She went to school in Bellingham, where she lived with her family, until she was 16. Wanting to learn from the best, aspiring boxer Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) wants Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) to train her. Big Willie drops Frankie as his manager and signs with the more aggressive Mickey Mack (Bruce MacVittie). Then Maggie Fitzgerald walks into his gym and then his life changes. Clint Eastwood is a legendary film personality. I think I did all right. A determined woman works with a hardened boxing trainer to become a professional. Maggie is devastated, and she and Frankie leave. She was like a fire cracker. [9] In its later wide release opening, the film earned $12,265,482 in North America and quickly became a box-office hit both domestically and internationally. She has also written and directed plays, dabbled in music, and served as an advocate for animal and human rights. ", Often we fail to recognize that a cry for death is really a cry for help. His only friend, Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris (Morgan Freeman), an ex-boxer who looks after Frankie's gym, knows that beneath his gruff exterior is a man who has been seeking, for the past twenty-five years, the forgiveness that somehow continues to elude him. He was in his 40s by then, so there was no prospect of him pursuing it as a profession, but he learnt enough to know about the world of boxing and write stories about it. Both Katie Dallam and Maggie Fitzgerald were born into poverty in Missouri and began boxing in their 30's. Both ended up in the ring against a much From beginning to end, there is narration by "Scrap"- Morgan Freeman's recognizable voice. People cheered her name and watched her in awe- she was wondrous and captivating. Please enable Javascript and hit the button below! We need not look to the world of fiction for an answer. Owing to his intense training, Huntley got Boyd a job as a cutman, through which he got to meet Juli Crockett, whom he called the inspiration for the character of Maggie Fitzgerald. Frankie is initially reluctant to train a woman, but Maggie persists and soon wins him over. I used to kick-box until I reached my mid-thirties and all of those roundhouse kicks started taking a toll on my hips and knees. Human (See: Should Terri Schiavo Live or Die?) * Was 36-0 (25 by knockout) as a kick boxer, and . While in the hospital, Maggie looks forward to a visit from her family. [13] Michael Medved stated: "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. According to CBS, Swank, like Fitzgerald, grew up in a trailer park and was a high. See also Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro Maggie Fitzgerald Your email address will not be published. But that doesn't mean I think that's a proper thing to do". Judaism recognizes that a person has the autonomy to make healthcare decisions, but insists that they must do so in a prudent manner (see "Doctor Knows Best?"). After being fired from the television series Family Law, Haggis wrote the script on spec, and it took four years to sell it. Its time to give recognition to the man who runs the show behind the scenes. Personality persistent, tough, and courageous. Frankie, who studies Gaelic, tells Maggie that he does not know what the phrase means. Maggie is a gifted student and supported by the experienced mentorship of Frankie, she makes her presence known in the amateur league. He later goes to Maggies room, tells her that Mo cuishle means my darling, my blood, and accedes to her request. The woman of many talents, Crockett's professional boxing career is not the only thing that she has made a name for herself in. After Maggie bites through her tongue in an effort to bleed to death, however, he changes his mind. On the strength of believing in herself, Maggie reaches the pinnacle of success and is about to become world champion. [2] The term 'Million Dollar Baby' was from the nose art of a World War II Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bomber. Maggie, a waitress from the Ozarks region of Missouri, starts working out at the gym. Jewish law would assert that all of the lives in question have intrinsic value. "[18], Eastwood responded to the criticism by saying the film was about the American dream. More details are available in the progress report. [citation needed] The titular phrase 'million dollar baby' was used as an insult during pre-fight publicity by Sonny Liston to Muhammad Ali, the latter of whom was an underdog at the time. Frankie leads a lonely existence, alienated from his only daughter and having few friends. Omissions? They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Little by little, an unbreakable father/daughter bond develops between them, and for the first time in a long while, both Dunn and Maggie seem to have found purpose in life. However, fortunately, unlike the fate of Maggie in the film, Crockett didnt meet with any tragedy in her life. As she understands her boxing career, If I was thinking straight, Id go back home, find a used trailer, buy a deep fryer and some Oreos. Gradually making her way upwards, she becomes notorious for taking out opponents in the first round while earning herself the moniker of "Mo Cuishle." Knowing the fatherly affection Frankie has developed for Maggie, Frankie's priest warns him that he would never find himself again if he were to go through with Maggie's request. ", but why there is not a greater offering of emotional support? While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. As she puts it, "I was born two pounds, one-and-a-half ounces. As a tribute to her, I bestowed my hero, Gage, in Someone Like You with a very special surname: Fitzgerald.. Maggie walked through that door with nothing buts guts. At the outset, he flatly refuses saying he has no interest in training a girl. [8], Million Dollar Baby initially had a limited release, opening in eight theaters in December 2004. When crisis hits, we must help our neighbor to dig deeper and solve the root of the problem even when they wish to die. Specifically because of his fame, he was able to sensitize the world to the plight of the disabled and become an unrelenting crusader for stem cell research and spinal cord injury research. Suddenly, an injury renders Maggie permanently paralyzed from the neck down, unable to move, and dependent on a respirator to keep her alive. One man told New Yorker magazine that upon jumping, "I instantly realized that everything in my life that I'd thought was unfixable, was totally fixable -- except for having just jumped. If we can get a little bit more bulk on her, to make her look like a fighter'She was like a feather. Actors/Actresses Maggie, in the story, had a crusty and protective trainer who became a surrogate father and who reluctantly and heartbreakingly helped her die. Million Dollar Baby is a 2004 American sports drama film. Frankie is finally willing to arrange a title fight. Common wisdom declares that the wishes of a patient, whether they be for more treatment, less treatment, or physician-assisted suicide, must be respected and carried out. Maggie Fitzgerald The stated reason, whether devastating or trite, would lead us to conclude that this person is depressed and needs emotional support and possibly psychiatric treatment. The Blue Bear has a reputation for aggressiveness and for fighting dirty. "My 'Million Dollar' Answer," OpinionJournal/Dow Jones & Company, Inc. (17 February 2005). Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Watch 'Million Dollar Baby' | Anniversary Mashup. This article is about the 2004 film. As the Torah teaches, "Do not stand idly by as your neighbor's blood is shed" (Leviticus 19:16). It is further contradicted by plenty of hard data. It grossed $216,763,646 in theaters; $100,492,203 in the United States, and $116,271,443 in other territories. Frankie leads a lonely existence, alienated from his only daughter and having few friends. Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) is a tough-luck waitress, who persuades a grizzled old trainer named Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) to help turn her into a world-class boxer. Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman received Best Actress in a Leading Role and Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscars, respectively. At the outset, he flatly refuses saying he has no interest in training a girl. I wish that the scriptwriters would have given her the happy ending that Lewis got when he went up against Tyson ten years ago in Memphis. Yet after a short period of despair, he chose to make life matter and become an advocate for the disabled. (I was happy with my amateur hour status, because some of those gal fighters hit hard.) Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In Million Dollar Baby, what is presented as a question of the right to die is perhaps a distraction from the deeper question of responsibility to help our fellow human being. Name No one would consider it moral to yell "jump" to a person standing on a high ledge. Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgerald, a waitress from a Missouri town in the Ozarks, shows up in the Hit Pit, a run-down Los Angeles gym owned and operated by Frankie Dunn, an old, cantankerous boxing trainer. Maggie falls, hitting her head on the stool in her corner. Frankie then reluctantly agrees to train Maggie. 10 Video Games That Need a Live Action Adaptation. It garnered rapturous reviews and four Academy Awards, including that for best picture. The film was named the third "Best Film of the 21st Century So Far" in 2017 by The New York Times.[26]. Despite her age, Maggie proves herself to be worth Frankie's time and . Frankie is shown experiencing the first three of the five stages of grief: first seeking multiple doctors' opinions in denial, then blaming Scrap in anger and later trying to bargain with God through prayer. '"[citation needed][14], In early 2005, the film sparked controversy when some disability rights activists protested the ending. Frankie becomes reluctant to train her, but the two form a close bond that will irrevocably change them both. She grew up knowing one thing: she was trash." Down she went, no longer burning and sizzling, to the earth. The film follows Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgerald (Swank), an underdog amateur boxer who is helped by an underappreciated boxing trainer (Eastwood) to achieve her dream of becoming a professional. She is mentally alert, but feels no reason to go on living. A study was done of those who survived attempted suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. We, as a society, do not feel they are in a position to make prudent decisions. But in such a state of presumed depression, is it in her best interest for us to give her decision-making autonomy to end her life? Join Facebook to connect with Maggie Fitzgerald and others you may know. Frankie Dunn: It wasn't fault. Scraps narration informs viewers that Frankie never returned to the gym, and it emerges that the story that he has been telling is the text of a letter that he has been writing to Frankies estranged daughter. It wasn't hard for Swank, as her journey to Hollywood mirrored that of her character Maggie Fitzgerald. She then asks Frankie to help her die, declaring that she got everything she wanted out of life.
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