1. Reviewing Films/Understanding Genre
Week 5

2. Some definitions
Setting: The locale or period in which the action of a novel, play,
film, etc., takes place: The setting of this story is Verona in the 15th century.
Character: A person represented in a play, film, story, etc.
Plot (Theme): Also called storyline. the plan, scheme, or main
story of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short
story.
Iconography: The symbols used in a work of art or art movement
Actors (Stars): A person who acts in stage plays, motion pictures,
television broadcasts, etc.

3. Synopsis of Million Dollar Baby
Million Dollar Baby is a drama directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood himself, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman.
Set in Los Angeles, it is the story of Frankie Dunn (Eastwood), a tough, jaded, boxing trainer who has been in the business for decades. Despite misgivings, and with the persuasion of his long time employee and friend ‘Scrap’ (Freeman), he eventually agrees to take on a female boxer, Maggie (Swank), to train and manage. Maggie is a poor waitress from a bad family who, through dedication and diligence becomes a very successful boxer. The movie follows her rise to success until the movie’s shocking conclusion that turns the boxing movie formula on its head, and raises some powerful and unexpected moral questions.

4. Homework
You must watch the movie Philadelphia (Demme, 1992 and write a review of it in your workbook. Your review should include a synopsis and your opinion of the movie. Your opinion should be supported by evidence from the movie.