Million Dollar Baby Questions

1. Outline four ways in which the film is designed to evoke an emotional response in the audience.






The film Million Dollar Baby is designed to create emotional response. One technique used to do this through the characters stories and background. At the beginning of the film the audience see that Maggie comes from a deprived background and lives poorly. This makes spectators feel sympathy for her and wish her a better life. Also Maggie's determination in the gym after being turned down from training by Frankie, the only trainer she wants. Spectators see her hard work and gain respect for her character.


Another technique used to evoke a response is the narrative structure of the film. The first part of the film is spent building the relationship between Maggie and Frankie after he agrees to train her. The audience learn more about Frankie and how we desperately tries to be in his daughters life despite her constant rejection. It can seem that Maggie begins to fill this role in his life as he cares deeply for her. This is purposely shown throughout the majority of the film purposely to try to make spectators feel like Frankie is going to make Maggie the champion boxer. After her poor upbringing the spectators expect a happy ending for her. However, this hope is thrown away in a boxing match with Billie 'The Blue Bear' where she fights dirty by hitting Maggie when her back is turned, causing her to break her neck when landing on a stool. At the initial happening of the event, spectators are shocked and devastated by what has just happened. Seconds before it seemed like Maggie was going to win the match. The entire mood of the film changes as it becomes about Maggie's difficult journey of recovery. It is clear that she will never be able to box again which leaves spectators feeling an emptiness for her. As months go by Maggie's quality of life declines and she makes the decision that she wants help to end her life. This tragic end of Frankie, a religious man who loves Maggie, releasing her from the pain makes spectators feel upset and sympathy for him whilst feeling the sadness of losing a loved character.


The micro element of music is used throughout the film to tell the spectators how to respond. In the Billie 'The Blue Bear' boxing match, as Billie is approaching the ring the non-diegetic music changes to dark and daunting in order to evoke fear and panic. It was established earlier in the film that Billie is a 'dirty fighter' and Frankie did not want Maggie to go against her. The worry for the outcome of the match is evident.




2. For two of these emotional responses, explain how the film uses micro or macro techniques to achieve these emotional responses.




One emotional response in the film is sympathy. This is shown through character types and mise-en-scene. Although it is clear Maggie comes from a deprived background, when she earns money from boxing she wants to be to provide for her absent family. when visiting her mother, the mise-en-scene shows she lives in a small, rundown caravan where her sister and baby also live. Because of this, Maggie buys a house for her mother, which is large and clean, however she is annoyed by the offer and declines the opportunity of a better live. This makes the spectators feel sorry for Maggie as she tried her best despite the coldness her family act towards her.


Another response in the film is shock during the boxing match between Maggie and Billie. Sound and editing are used to create a tense atmosphere. When Maggie's back is turned and Billie hits her, the scene changes to slow motion to show Maggie's fall. Frankie desperately attempts to remove the stool from the ring, and the slow pace enables the spectators to see his frantic facial expression of what has just happened and the danger ahead. The diegetic sound gets quieter and the sound of the punch and landing are enhanced to emphasise the pivotal actions in the scene. The diegetic background noise of the audience cannot be heard anymore to represent the shock of the event. This quietness is used to go to the reactions of various characters such as Frankie and Eddie, showing their trauma for Maggie.




3. The film could be described as a 'weepie', how far do you agree that the film is 'weepie'. You should use a range of other films in your answer by comparison.




Million Dollar Baby could be described as 'weepie' because of range of emotions the films takes you through. It has moments of happiness and upset, such as the rise of Maggie's boxing career but also the decline after breaking her neck. Due to the build up of relationships the film emphasises the emotional bonds between Maggie and Frankie and Maggie and Eddie. When the accidents happens it is shock to spectators as they expect a happy ending for Maggie. For this reason, the film becomes 'weepie' because of the sudden change of mood and emotion which throws spectators off guard.


Other 'weepie' films are advertised as emotional such as 'The Fault In Our Stars' where the films plot of two cancer patients falling in love ends in death. Spectators choose to go watch this knowing that it may make them 'weepie', however for some it is a preferred genre of film.


For some films, their main marketing of the film does not include upsetting parts however they can still include them in the film. For example 'Captain America:Civil War' is marketed as a superhero film filled with lots of action. Despite this, one scene in the film reveals to Tony Stark how his parents died. This was devastating news for Tony and made spectators feel the same sadness for him.


I feel as though Million Dollar Baby could be described as a surprise 'weepie' film as spectators do not watch the film to expect hurt and devastation, however they do feel this at the accident and death of Maggie.