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Annabelle Robertson (Crosswalk) says it's "not a movie for children, nor is it appropriate for even mature teens, who have yet to develop the emotional filters necessary to analyze a film with such a strong emotional pull.Adults, on the other hand, will be able to glean truth in the edges of this narrative, particularly the desolation and increased isolation that ultimately befalls the characters, as a result of their choices. Hopefully, the film will also be used as an excellent discussion topic with those of differing opinions."

Josh Hurst (Reveal) addresses the controversy over the film, saying, "Some of the characters make some particularly bad choices. While many religious critics are accusing Eastwood of advocating a certain unethical action, the film is not endorsing any kind of misbehavior. For discerning moviegoers, Clint Eastwood has created a film that should be seen, discussed, and then seen again, one that takes some of the darkest questions of the human soul and writes them in blood—a sort of modern-day Psalm for the broken-hearted skeptic."

Steven D. Greydanus (Decent Films—Beware! Plot spoilers!) references other controversial films and compares Million Dollar Baby to them. He concludes, "In spite of its offensive finale Million Dollar Baby is an engaging film that even well-formed Catholics, despite their reservations, might care about in a way that they probably wouldn't care about, e.g., Kinsey or The Cider House Rules."

Kevin Miller (Relevant) reviews Million Dollar Baby and addresses the controversy surrounding its conclusions. CAUTION: Plot spoilers included in the review! Hollywood Jesus now includes three reviews of this film, and they include spoilers as well.

"Million Dollar Baby isn't a film about euthanasia," says Michael Leary (The Matthews House Project), "it is about these characters that took two hours to develop before the fateful twist at the end. The film simply continues Eastwood's penchant for characters forced to make ethical decisions that they know will cost them their souls. At the very least, the film seems to imply that the act of euthanasia, even if as an act of mercy, will cost the actor a great deal."

Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven: Peter T. Chattaway (The Matthews House Project) compares and contemplates two Clint Eastwood films. "Just as death was the central theme of Unforgiven, I think abandonment may be the central theme of Million Dollar Baby. The point of the film may be that it doesn't matter whether we have been good or bad to people, we will all still be abandoned."

A ready-to-download, Bible-based discussion guide is available for this movie at ChristianBibleStudies.com. Use this guide after the movie to help you and your small group better connect your faith to pop culture.

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Related Elsewhere:

Spoil the Ending?	Printer view
We've actually been talking about that around here lately, thanks to one recent film. Think we're crazy? Read on to find out why—and then let us know what you think.

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Spoil the Ending, Part II	Printer view
We asked if you wanted to know how Million Dollar Baby ends, and most of you said no—but enough of you said yes that we've decided to add that information to our review.