Well, conservative author, talk show host, and movie critic Michael Medved was accused again yesterday during his show of playing the part of spoiler for the controversial Eastwood movie, “Million Dollar Baby.” As the whole world likely knows now, the movie features a scene of assisted suicide.

When the movie was first released, Michael Medved was very critical of the fact that this part of the plot had remained a carefully guarded secret, and was instantly assailed and accused of trying to damage the movie’s box office results. Here are some of the comments made by Medved via his “Eye On Entertainment” site:

Warner Brothers never tells you the truth about a key plot twist that turns this pedestrian boxing movie into an insufferable manipulative right to die movie. With one of the characters horribly handicapped begging for assisted suicide.

Yes, quite a harsh statement regarding the movie. But is Medved hoping to hurt the movie’s box office receipts? If he wanted to do that, touching off a controversy is the worst thing he could do, right?

Think about the controversy over movies such as “The Passion of The Christ” and “Fahrenheit 911.” These two movies are worlds apart. One was created to appeal to people of faith, the other to critisize President Bush and the Iraq War. Yet, controversy helped power each of them to a bottom line that they NEVER could have otherwise enjoyed.

So, really, if Medved wanted to hurt “Million Dollar Baby,” he would have been better off simply calling the movie “a dud,” or something to that effect, rather than starting a controversy over assisted suicide. Right?

Finally, I want to comment on the ridiculous claim that the movie will not send a message to someone one way or another regarding the issue of assisted suicide. Many of the movies proponents have insisted that it is “neutral” to this issue.

Such a claim is bogus! The movie WILL influence people, whether you like it or not.

This lame argument reminds me of some of our prominent professional players in the United States who, after being critisized for negatively influencing kids with their bad behaviour, like to say, “I never asked to be a role model.” You didn’t? Then why did you enter professional sports?

If you don’t want to be a role model, don’t become famous!

Similarly, if you don’t want to send a message one way or another on assisted suicide, DON’T INCLUDE ASSISTED SUICIDE IN YOUR MOVIE!

I apologize for the shout emphasis there, but the level of ignorance coming from those espousing this view is incredible. Seems to me that a lot intelligent people are dumbing themselves down so that they can ignore the obvious.

What do you think?

David Flanagan
Viewpointjournal.com