MovieHook Rating... B+
Over the last two decades, one of the Hollywood's most legendary actors, Clint Eastwood, has been slowly bowing out of the acting limelight. Ever since the millenuim hit, Eastwood has only acted in four movies, and in each of them he also directed. And now Eastwood says that Gran Torino will be his last stint in acting, but don't fret because he is still planning on doing some directing. His forthcoming film The Human Factor is based on Nelson Mandela's plea to bring the the Rugby World Cup to South Africa back in 1995. But as it looks
now, Eastwood is still on top with his latest movie, Gran Torino.
Gran Torino follows a retired factory worker named Walt Kowalski (Eastwood), who had recently lost his wife. Walt finds himself at a new crossroads in his life. He has trouble maintaining a house too big for a single person, but wont let his sons find him a retirement home to move on to. Walt spends most of his days sitting on the front porch thinking about the years he served in the Korean War, and the worst part is his neighborhood has been overun by masses of immigrants. Walt can't cope with the decisions he has made in his life, and wont except the help his Church's priest is trying to give.
Walt really becomes uneasy when he finds one of the neighbor boys trying to steal his nicely kept Gran Torino. Walt begins to watch the neighbors more carefully, and noticebly the grandma next door who doesn't seem to like him much either. One night Walt scares off a gang that is heckling the boy next door Thao, and the neigborhood begins to see Walt as a hero. He is invited to a traditional Hmong party at his neighbor's, The Lors, and he befriends the children of the house Thao (Bee Vang) and Sue (Ahney Her). Walt soon finds out that Thao was the one who tryed to steal his car, and Thao offers himself to work for Walt in a plea for forgiveness. Walt doesn't go easy on Thao; he puts him to work whether it is rain or shine. But at the end of the week Thao has gained Walt's respect, and Walt quietly decides to mentor Thao, especially once he finds out the gang made him try to steal the Gran Torino.
Walt wants to give these kids a chance at having a succesful life, but as long as they are bothered by the local gang, they will always be held back. He finds that he is given a second chance to help these kids, unlike he ever did with his own. Walt is faced with the regret of the bad decisions of his life, he must deal with the loss of his wife, and try to respect her wishes by asking for god's forgiveness.
Eastwood does a great job playing a comically racist old man, who is looking for someone to help him deal with his old age. It almost makes you wonder if this script is loosely based on Eastwood's own life and his retiremnt from acting. The Hmongs in this film were newcomers to the screen, and at times it showed. But Eastwood likes to film scenes in one take if possible, so it doesn't leave them as much time to improve. You could see potential in them, but anyone playing in a movie opposite Clint Eastwood is going to look amateur at times.
Gran Torino has a tremendous amount of crude humor and cursing. Eastwood also mentions some very racist remarks, so I would not advise anyone under 17 to see this movie.
Gran Torino follows a retired factory worker named Walt Kowalski (Eastwood), who had recently lost his wife. Walt finds himself at a new crossroads in his life. He has trouble maintaining a house too big for a single person, but wont let his sons find him a retirement home to move on to. Walt spends most of his days sitting on the front porch thinking about the years he served in the Korean War, and the worst part is his neighborhood has been overun by masses of immigrants. Walt can't cope with the decisions he has made in his life, and wont except the help his Church's priest is trying to give.
Walt really becomes uneasy when he finds one of the neighbor boys trying to steal his nicely kept Gran Torino. Walt begins to watch the neighbors more carefully, and noticebly the grandma next door who doesn't seem to like him much either. One night Walt scares off a gang that is heckling the boy next door Thao, and the neigborhood begins to see Walt as a hero. He is invited to a traditional Hmong party at his neighbor's, The Lors, and he befriends the children of the house Thao (Bee Vang) and Sue (Ahney Her). Walt soon finds out that Thao was the one who tryed to steal his car, and Thao offers himself to work for Walt in a plea for forgiveness. Walt doesn't go easy on Thao; he puts him to work whether it is rain or shine. But at the end of the week Thao has gained Walt's respect, and Walt quietly decides to mentor Thao, especially once he finds out the gang made him try to steal the Gran Torino.
Walt wants to give these kids a chance at having a succesful life, but as long as they are bothered by the local gang, they will always be held back. He finds that he is given a second chance to help these kids, unlike he ever did with his own. Walt is faced with the regret of the bad decisions of his life, he must deal with the loss of his wife, and try to respect her wishes by asking for god's forgiveness.
Eastwood does a great job playing a comically racist old man, who is looking for someone to help him deal with his old age. It almost makes you wonder if this script is loosely based on Eastwood's own life and his retiremnt from acting. The Hmongs in this film were newcomers to the screen, and at times it showed. But Eastwood likes to film scenes in one take if possible, so it doesn't leave them as much time to improve. You could see potential in them, but anyone playing in a movie opposite Clint Eastwood is going to look amateur at times.
Gran Torino has a tremendous amount of crude humor and cursing. Eastwood also mentions some very racist remarks, so I would not advise anyone under 17 to see this movie.
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