Denver Archbishop calls praise for Oscar winning ‘Million Dollar Baby’ a ‘stretch’

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Comments: 8

Denver, Colo., Mar 1, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- In his column last week, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver called Clint Eastwood’s ‘Million Dollar Baby’, which took top honors at Sunday’s Oscar awards a compelling story, but one that took a morally dangerous wrong turn. The Archbishop called the film “a great film about boxing and a bad film about moral reasoning.”

He noted that, “Advocates for the disabled have criticized the movie for being pro-euthanasia. Supporters have dismissed critics as right wing ‘culture cops.’”

The film has to do with a so-called “white trash girl” who desperately wants to become a boxer. Eastwood eventually takes her under his wing and in a knockout blow during a fight, she is paralyzed and lives off of a respirator.

Here, the Archbishop says, is where the film takes a wrong turn. The boxer (played by actress Hillary Swank) asks Eastwood to help her die and after an extensive struggle and counsel from a priest friend who tells him not to do it, he pulls the plug on Swank.

While Archbishop Chaput points out that “it’s hard to believe that Eastwood intended this film as ‘pro-euthanasia propaganda’”, as some critics have called it, “the effect may be the same.”

Chaput notes that, “by equating murder and mercy, [Eastwood] locks his characters into hopelessness. He makes a profoundly evil act seem noble. The tragedy in this otherwise arresting movie is what it could have been — and isn’t.”

Comments: 8

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Fr. Richard Dale Broussard
Pine Prairie, La. 03/03/2005 08:35 AM EST

When are the rest of the Bishops going to start talking and defending the Church's point of view.

Published by: Anita
Boca Raton,Fl. USA 03/03/2005 05:32 AM EST

Thank God Archbishop Chaput spoke out against this film. If anything, this is a slap in the face to pro-life supporters and people who believe that life is a sacred gift from God. It is totally insensitive to have a movie like this in these times when this subject is such a major issue. Whether it was done deliberately or not doesn't matter,all it shows is that money and attention are the real issue here and not what is right and what is wrong.

Published by: Elizabeth
deltona florida USA 03/03/2005 12:06 AM EST

one good way to show disapproval for such movies which insult the Faith is to boycott such films .If one must see them wait till they are available on VHS in your local lib for free Money does talk!

Published by: Delfina
McAllen, TX 03/02/2005 03:48 PM EST

I understand the importance of taking a stand on this film especially due to the fact that the value of human life has been so catastophically minimized. I cannot however understand the fact the our priests and higer ups take isuue with one subject matter as opposed to all negative projections at the same time. Other topics which should be consistently addressed would be: casual sex, degredation of women, mockery of Catholic religios practices and values etc. It is important to point out, however, that inasmuch as these issues are adressed at varying times. Our church needs to be consistently outraged at all negative attitudes which the music and movie industry have propogated at the same time. Due to the fact that Archbishop Chaput is disturbed by the tragedy of this attitude, he ought to be outraged with the fact that our religious are becoming increasingly tolerant and submissive to this type of so called entertainment.

Published by: Peggy Stinnet
Traverse City, MI., USA 03/02/2005 01:31 PM EST

Thank you again Archbishop Chaput for speaking out on behalf of the "Bride of Christ" with regards to the movie "Million Dollar Baby".
The Catholic Church is now as it always has been counterculture. We are living in a valley of tears and are not made for this world. We must never be afraid to speak the truth. Wrong has become right and Hollywood continues to lead many down a dark and dangerous path. Saving souls should be our only goal in this life. Thank you Archbishop for caring so much.

Published by: Peggy James M.D.
Jacksonville, Florida USA 03/02/2005 12:44 PM EST

I agree with this article, euthanasia is becoming very much accepted, believe me and it is a struggle to speak against it. I will keep doing so and God be with you.

Published by: Carol Stysiack
Lindenhurst, NY, USA 03/02/2005 11:06 AM EST

I agree wtih Arachbishop Chaput, that this was a great movie, that, unfortunately, took the wrong turn when Clint Eastwood's character after all the prayers and counceling from his priest friend who said that to pull the plug would be the worst thing to do for his soul, decides to do the wrong thing anyway. I was disappointed in the movie at that point. I was hoping that both he and the boxer would somehow learn accept the suffering
as hard as that is. As director, Eastwood could have left us guessing, but chose to show us how he ended her life.

Published by: Mavis L. Hucker
North Judson, IN .... USA 03/01/2005 05:21 PM EST

God Bless Archbishop Chaput....a light in a world that's getting darker and darker....but the light will prevail.

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