[Movie Review] Gran Torino Review (2008)

Gran Torino

Clint Eastwood has really taken Hollywood by storm. From starring in the epic Sergio Leone spaghetti western classic ‘The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly,’ to going on to direct a host of award winning films, there’s not much Clint Eastwood hasn’t done, except for change his character. Always seen as a lethal force to be reckoned with, sometimes exacerbated by his trademark grimace, many critics have evaluated him as a subpar character actor. From the surly gym owner in 2004’ ‘Million Dollar Baby,’ to his newest role as Walt Kowalski, a retired bitter automobile laborer living in Detroit. The location is emblematic of a consumer crisis in America with car company’s like General Motors and Ford (where Walt used to work) are slowly paring down on production. As Walt watches his family members drive off in a foreign car he mutters, “Would it kill you to buy American?” A crisis is something that Walt is used to. He fought in the Korean War and bears the physical and mental scars to prove it. He tells it like it is, and scoffs at his sons and their families as he sees their incompetence and laziness.

But, Walt is kind of a softy as well. Underneath that coat of rough, there is something inside that gives him the capacity to reach out to the neighbors next door, a Hmong family who is repeatedly the victim of a rough gang in the area. Comedic at times, because Walt is a racist bastard, one can’t help but chuckle when in response to helping his neighbors out he says to them, “Get off my lawn.” This man who doesn’t necessarily care what he says or who he says it too brought several smiles to my face. The Hmong family next door is played fairly well, but often times have the presence of rookies. Walt feels real, and so does most of the characters but once in a while it really does hurt the film to use first-time actors.

This film is good, though. It’s filmed very well and Eastwood really brings a unique edge to things when he is left in charge (as well as starring, he also directed and produced the picture). The ending is fascinating, and it’s not what one would expect from Walt, but it’s something you might expect from Eastwood, who has perennially brought out the unconventional stories to audiences. A great performance by Eastwood really rounds this film out. I would just say stick to acting, Eastwood, because I didn’t particularly enjoy his musical performance near the end of the film.

Overall:

Almost all of use have some sort of precious object in our lives that we feel a certain attachment to. To Kane’s Rosebud, there is Walt’s Gran Torino. It’s a symbol for Walt in a world that is slowly being changed into something that he cares less and less for. But, he finds a way to make it through. But, ultimately when an aura of sacredness is placed on an object, it usually brings out other characters who want it just as bad. As Walt puts it, “What the hell does everybody want with my Gran Torino?” The film is intriguing overall. It doesn't really challenge much intellectual curiosity, but it gets the job done and is enjoyable to watch.

My rating: 8.9/10

Rated R for language and some violence.

116 minutes:

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%