Saturday, February 7, 2009

'Gran Torino' Review


Clint Eastwood portrays a bigoted, retired Detroit autoworker in Gran Torino. Watch the trailer: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/gran-torino/33336/main
Clint Eastwood says that Gran Torino is his last acting role and it will be a shame. It will be a shame too if you miss this movie that he also directed. At close to 80 and wearing two hats might be too demanding, but lets hope he finds another project worth his attention or at least a good part in another director's film.
This movie is typical Clint but that's not a bad thing. Consider it his crowning achievement and a culmination of his best roles. Here again you see the loner, the rebel, the old crank, the pillar of silent resolve. These and others are all present and in top form. Fifty years of acting and almost forty years of directing himself has made him a master craftsman. His films and his performances are lean and to the point. No artsy-fartsy fat. You know what to expect and he rarely fails to deliver.
Eastwood portrays a widower who retired from Detroit's auto industry. He's at odds with his family who wants to control him and his possessions before he dies. He's a bigot and proud of it but that's part of his working class/factory background. I worked in factories for many years and have seen his type. When an Asian family moves next door, you'll hear every stereotypical insult and then some new ones but with comic effect. Only Eastwood can get away with these comments. He slowly warms up to them and his friendship and help makes him respected in their community, at first to his annoyance. Under that gruff exterior is a man who accepts those who stand up to him when he knows they want to help him. For all his faults, there is no way you cannot like him.
The ending is a bit of a surprise during his final confrontation with the Asian street gang who terrorizes his neighbors. At first I felt a bit let down but soon realized why he did what he had to do. It may not be what you expect in an Eastwood movie but it was in character and the demands of the plot. He does go out in blaze of glory but it's a different kind....
A third shame is Hollywood not nominating him for a Best Actor Oscar. If John Wayne could be nominated for True Grit (and win), then Eastwood deserves his chance. Expect good performances from the rest of the cast including Bee Vang as Thau and his sister played by Ahney Her who resembles a younger Margaret Cho in looks and attitude. There's a great scene in which Eastwood meets his match with their grandmother who's like him in temperament.
Gran Torino is everything you want in an Eastwood movie and you can even forgive him for briefly groaning through a closing song.

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