|
Other Columns by Mike Bayham
Mike Bayham Bio
Printer-Friendly Version
Death Wins Big At Oscars
By Mike Bayham
March 2, 2005
Page 2 of 2
The remainder of the movie shows Maggie in a quasi-vegetated state needing the assistance of a tube connected to her throat to breathe. As bedsores ravage her body, Maggie pleads with Frankie to end her torment by "pulling the plug". After a grueling examination of his conscience, Eastwood, who reluctantly agreed to train the fighter, reluctantly accedes to her final request.
What I got from this movie was that emotionally charged arguments for stem-cell research and euthanasia were made through art and fantastic performances.
Had only more federal funding for stem-cell research been allowed, poor Maggie would have hope that her spinal injury would be magically cured giving her more incentive to cling on to her life.
Or that because of Maggie's plight, which the audience partially experiences through a series of mundane scenes, we should sanction the "right to die" and recognize what Eastwood's character did in the film was in essence no different than the service rendered by Jack Kevorkian to his patrons.
The only thing this movie was missing was a plea by Michael J. Fox and Ron Reagan, Jr. encouraging the audience to call their congressman about loosening the grip of "religious ignorance".
Maybe I am reading too much into the film, but if Democrats can raise holy hell about the superimposed "RATS" in a 2000 Bush ad, I think my conclusions are sound that Million Dollar Baby presents subtle messages on two controversial issues to unsuspecting moviegoers.
Perhaps I should take some solace in that Vera Drake, the film about a defiantly "heroic" English abortionist nominated in three categories, left empty-handed or that propagandist Michael Moore is not nearly as talented as Clint Eastwood.
-------------
Mike Bayham is author of Right From The Bayou: The Opinions of a Conservative Cajun, which is available at iUniverse.com.
--------------------
Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA. >> Back -- Page 1 2
| 
