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Movie Review for Gran Torino (2008)
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Review #719 of 365 Movie Review of Gran Torino (2009) [R] 116 minutes WIP™ Scale: $14.50 Where Viewed: United Artists Colorado Center 9 & IMAX, Denver, CO When Seen: 9 January 2009 @ 3:45 pm DVD Release Date: Unscheduled (please check back) After the Credits: nothing Unsung Member of the Crew: Boom Operator – Flash Deros
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Directed by: Clint Eastwood (Changeling) Screenplay by: Nick Schenk (I Shot Myself) with Story by Dave Johannson and Nick Schenk
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From): Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby) • Christopher Carley (Lions for Lambs) • Bee Vang (debut) • Ahney Her (debut) • Brian Haley (The Departed) • Geraldine Hughes (Rocky Balboa) • Dreama Walker ("Gossip Girl") • Brian Howe (Evan AlmightyEvan Almighty) • John Carroll Lynch (Things We Lost in the Fire) • William Hill ("Law & Order") • Brooke Chia Thao (debut) • Chee Thao (debut) • Choua Kue (debut) • Scott Eastwood (Pride)
I've long held an hypothesis when it comes to film viewing that the less one knows about it in advance the more powerful the film. Of course, that falls on a sliding scale because a really awful film, will be really awful no matter how little you may know. It's just that trailers and previews and cast interviews and clips and scenes that give away too much about a film can decrease impact and, in some cases, even ruin a film. Therefore, knowing less about Clint Eastwood's latest tale, a sort of Grandpa Dirty Harry called, Gran Torino, is the way to go. So, not much about the plot will be given here, you'll have to check the spoilerif you want that. The basics are just a retired auto maker / Korean War Veteran / native of Detroit, loses his wife to old age, and has to figure out what to do with the rest of his life and, therein, find a reason to live. The crusty salt of the earth, Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is the epitome of a stereotypical, old-school, white dude and borderline racist because he doesn't know better, that so many of us grew up with as our grandfathers. We were always afraid of him, and he of us. His life becomes interesting if not more complicated when he strikes up an accidental relationship with the Hmong family living next door. What ensues is as striking a portrait of life in inner city America as one could envision, and a tale of a different sort of bravery as an old man comes to grips with the reality of his past and present.
Suffice it to say that Clint Eastwood has done it again. Quite literally, he's made a film that's got all the makings of a Best Picture of the year where he seems to unfurl the fates and lay consequences to the wind. His direction has never been stronger, this time dealing with a mostly debut cast and a cameo appearance by his son Scott. The film is so dramatically tight, it could have been a stage play, and a great one. Most of the action takes place in and around his home on a street in a neighborhood that long sense forgot white people. What was once his little, peaceful slice of life has become a run-down neighborhood of poor immigrants.
… Clint Eastwood has done it again.
Truth be told, he doesn't fit in here anymore or does he. But, where's he to go, the nursing home suggested by his son, Mitch (Brian Haley) and daughter-in-law, Karen (Geraldine Hughes)? Church as promoted by the doting young newbie priest, Father Janovich (Christopher Carley), or the grave.? He and his aging gold lab, Daisy, waste away their days him drinking beer and surviving on beef jerky, her just lying and wondering what's up. There's a bitter sadness in him. He's harboring grief from his days in Korea and the things he was forced to do all the while it seems his sanctuary, his home, his garage which shields his mint-condition Gran Torino from harm, all seem to be falling away. The Hmong family is curious about him, but circumstances will forge an unexpected relationship that will expand his world view. The spunky eldest daughter, Sue Lor (Ahney Her) and numbskull brother Thao (Bee Vang) will open his eyes and potentially melt his heart. These two and Eastwood form the core of the cast around which terrible and tragic events will unfold. But, in the end, Walt Kowalski will find his peace.
Director / Producer / Actor Clint Eastwood has done it again. Quite literally, he's made a film that's got all the makings of a Best Picture of the year where he seems to unfurl the fates and lay consequences to the wind. His direction has never been stronger, this time dealing with a mostly debut cast and a cameo appearance by his son Scott. The film is so dramatically tight, it could have been a stage play, and a great one. Most of the action takes place in and around his home on a street in a neighborhood that long sense forgot white people. What was once his little, peaceful slice of life has become a run-down neighborhood of poor immigrants.
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