Gran Torino Starring Clint Eastwood Movie Review:
Gran Torino takes place in the
Clint Eastwood Directs and Stars in Gran Torino.
Clint Eastwood for his roll as Walt “Wally” Kowalski in Gran Torino has received rave reviews for his portrayal of an ex Korean War Vet. His supporting cast is filled with unknowns Bee Vang who plays Thao Vang Lor, Ahney Her plays Thao's sister Sue Lor. Each one of the rolls played by his co-stars shows their lack of experience coming up short from time to time reducing the reality of their scenes.
The script for GranTorino reminded me of Archie Bunker meeting Chris Rock with guns. The shock value of what comes out of Walt “Wally” Kowalski’s mouth is found either hilarious or offensive much like the sitcom All in the Family from the 70’s.
Gran Torino opens with Walt saying good bye to his beloved wife at her funeral. His wife a devoured Catholic requests her Priest pester Walt until he confesses his sins to the young Father Janovich (Christopher Carley).
Walt has two sons neither of which he is close with. Both roles here are also left with a little something missing. Walt finds himself faced alone after his wife’s death left only with his Asian neighbors and what comes along with the new gang infested hood.
Walt’s prized possession his 1972 Gran Torino remains parked in his garage when one night he hears a clatter coming from that very place. Walt leaps from his bed rifle in hand to approach the thief only to be faced with life changing decisions that will change each of the lives Walt has come in touch with.
Gran Torino turned out to be much funnier than expected. When I approached the film I expected much more straight forward drama but what I got was a lot of laughs from Eastwood’s one liners that were racist and offensive yet he delivers them with a comedic flow leaving audiences laughing.
While Eastwood is faced with an aging body and an audience that is much younger these days going to see Gran Torino he is faced with them believing he can pull this off. Many of the young movie goers never saw Eastwood in Magnum Force or Dirty Harry making his roll as Walt unbelievable to the 30 and younger crowd.
The film lacks to develop the roles of the gang members that are the backdrop to the entire film, yet we don’t get to see much more than drive bys. This leaves the viewer not believing the gang is as powerful as we are led to believe.
The film has a message that gives people hope they can change at anytime in their lives that one is never too old. Clint Eastwood delivered for me once again. Many predict an Oscar nod for Eastwood for his role in Gran Torino time will tell.
Gran Torino 2 out of 4 stars.
