Some in the media are declaring Million Dollar Baby “the odds on favorite to win Best Picture” (NPR this morning), A.O. Scott declared it the “best movie delivered by a major Hollywood studio this year” and critics are fawning all over this movie. Don’t you believe it.
Does Million Dollar Baby have strong performances by three excellent actors? You bet. Is it a better, more intelligent movie than typical Hollywood fare? Oui. Does it have a formulaic and somewhat wooden and jerky plot structure that only works because of great actors and a good director? Oh yes. Does it deserve to be considered for Best Picture? Not at all.
