Good, good movie. But I don’t think it is, as one of my neighbors suggested, “a life changing experience”. But it is very entertaining with memorable characters and it is one I’d see again. I have the feeling Gran Torino will have a long shelf life and be viewed over and over.
A summary from IMD: “Walt Kowalski is a widower who holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Michigan neighborhood and the world around him. Kowalski is a grumpy, tough-minded, unhappy an old man, who can’t get along with either his kids or his neighbors, a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 Gran Torino he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbor Thao, a young Hmong teenager under pressure from his gang member cousin, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Thao’s family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them from the gangs that infest their neighborhood.”
Clint Eastwood is meaner than dirt until the end. Hit grit on the screen is almost touchable. There is something off-putting with the support cast, however. They seem to delivering lines just as the director suggested, with no thought of their own. This could be chalked up to the inexperience of the Hmong support staff.
Several scenes within the Hmong household were terrific. And I loved watching Eastwood soften to these people while devouring their wonderful cooking.
The ending was a surprise, of couse, but with thought was the very best result. Go see it.
BTW, the first show on Sunday here was packed. Slum Dog Millionaire was sold out, as well. Wilmington, NC is a film-maker’s town; home of Screen Gems Productions. One Tree Hill is shot here, for example, as well as major pics. So, with a film making community as well as 10,000 university students I would bet we have a higher than average film-going poplulation. But am thinking the recession has brought back movie-going in a big way to the entire country.
