Gran Torino: Movie Review
December 30, 2008 by nina
Filed under Best Of..., Movies
Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is an equal opportunity bigot. Blacks are spooks, his Hmong neighbors are fish heads, and his barber, who he likes, is a dumb Wop. Even so, Walt Kowalski may be Eastwood’s most likable and rooted for character since Dirty Harry.
"Get off my lawn."
As the movie opens, Walt is burying his beloved wife. He seems more annoyed that she left him alone with their ungrateful children and grandchildren than heartbroken. Walt is set in his ways and resists all attempts by his children to “make his life easier” read: move into a nursing home. He recognizes their true motives; to get their hands on his home and mint condition 1972 Gran Torino.
And they’re not the only ones. After his teenage neighbor, Tao Vang Lor (Bee Vang), unsuccessfully tries to steal his Gran Torino due to pressure by neighborhood thugs, Walt takes the shy boy under his wing. He teaches him a trade, how to stand up for himself, and how to get the girl. Their friendship at first seems an odd pairing. Walt is old-fashioned and set in his ways; as a Korean War veteran the American flag flies proudly outside of his Michigan home though he is obviously emotionally scarred by the things he did there, his postage stamp sized lawn is mowed frequently with an old-school push mower, it seems on the outset that he despises foreigners and change, and he drinks and drives American.
Eastwood and Vang
But Walt recognizes in Tao someone who wants to work hard and has a good spirit, which is more than he can say for his own family whom he seems offended by with their foreign cars and entitlement issues. He makes it his personal mission to see that Tao doesn’t fall to the pressure of a group of neighborhood thugs and that provides the movie’s real tension.
Clint Eastwood is known for casting talented newcomers and minorities in major roles, and at times it seems that he is the only one in this film with real acting experience, but it works with the character Tao who really comes off lost and in need of direction.
I was surprised by how funny, I mean laugh-out-loud funny, this movie is and it was all in Eastwood’s snappy lines, facial expressions, and growls. Not many actors his age could pull off the following line so believably. Said to a group of black guys harassing a young girl, “You know how every once in awhile you come across someone you shouldn’t have fucked with? That’s me.”
Don’t be surprised if this film doesn’t garner a few Oscar nods. Written and directed by Eastwood, Gran Torino is one of those rare films driven by story and character.
Nina is a 34-year-old mother, wife and writer who spends her days blogging, studying, changing diapers and watching ridiculous amounts of TV. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, two children and three TiVos.
Clint Eastwood used his outward crankiness to come across as tough and yet also heroic at the same time, well done i'd say
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LikeLoved the movie. Very funny at some parts yet very serious in others. For anyone who is getting tired of all the garbage coming out of Hollywood recently, give this one a try.
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LikeOk mama, we need like a "nina" rating system. How many stars would you give this movie?
I wasn't sure about this one. The previews looked kinda cheesy but drew my attention at the same time. We'll have to redbox-it.
Was this movie filmed in Michigan?
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LikeI'd give it 3.5 outta 5 TiVo remotes. :-)
Yeah, filmed in Michigan.
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LikeI see now, it was filmed in the D! Now I must see it, I'm from Grand Rapids.
I live your rating system. So Nina of you :)
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LikeI see now, it was filmed in the D! Now I must see it, I'm from Grand Rapids.
I love your rating system. So Nina of you :)
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LikeIf not for this review I would never have even thought about seeing this movie. I didn't know who was in it, or what is was about. I just overlooked it because of the title. Now I have to see it. Thanks!
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LikeGirl, you gotta see it. Clint is a trip! I had heard of it, but didn't really WANT to see it. So, glad I did. Not at all what I was expecting. I had started it w/o Donny, but when I saw how much it made me laugh (from the FIRST scene at the church and the way he looks at his granddaughter with her belly all hanging out) I had to stop and have Donny watch it with me.
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LikeI can't wait to see this after reading your review, thanks! Besides the fact Clint Eastwood has given me more than one "Just like dad used to" moment in my experience, ha ha
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LikeI have always loved Eastwood's one liners!! That sounds like typical Eastwood. This just made my must see list. Thanks for the review Nina-Beena!
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LikeNo problem, babe. Let me know what you think when you see it.
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LikeNow I HAVE to watch it. I love me some Clint. Clint trumps Chuck Norris anyday.
I have a lot of respect for him because he hasn't turned around to do stupid Disney movies in his old age like so many other great actors and actresses. I hate when Hollywood reduces the greats to 'silly grandparent' roles.
Awesome review chica! So eloquent. Clint should be calling you and thanking you for this review!
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LikeI was skeptical of this film, after seeing trailers. Your review makes me want to see it! Sounds much better than it seemed.
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LikeI am so looking forward to seeing this. I am a huge C.E. fan.
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LikeI was looking forward to seeing this. I think it is the potential to be a favorite movie of mine. Thanks for the review!
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LikeI've always had a mean streak for Clint Eastwood though his movies are crafted extremely well especially those he writes & directs. To be honest I still can't believe this dude is alive. He looks older than my grandfather. I think I'll watch it just to see what he pulls off. I can say one thing: From that one line you supplied he sounds like the same old Clint! lmao
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LikeAnd he's believable. You don't laugh like, "Silly old man." More like, "This old man will kick your ass."
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LikeI can't wait to see the movie..looks good.
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LikeYou'll like it.
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LikeI saw the preview for this the other day...I got a glimpse of Clint's face and said "we gotta see it!"
Looks good. I also want to see that Benjimin Button movie too.
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LikeHis facial expressions and growls crack me up.
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LikeThanks for this review. I can't wait to see it. Clint Eastwood is my husband's hero so I will definitely be taking him to see this with me. My sister and I went to see Seven Pounds on Saturday and it was great. Have you seen Bejamin Button yet?
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LikeYour husband will like it. Clint is so badass in this movie.
We should be seeing Benjamin Button tonight.
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LikeI don't care how old that man is...he is still fine!
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