00s Movie Review - Gran Torino

Director: Clint Eastwood
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 116 minutes
Year: 2008
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Christopher Carley, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Brian Haley, Geraldine Hughes, Dreama Walker, Brian Howe, John Carroll Lynch, William Hill, Brooke Chia Thao, Chee Thao, Choua Kue, Scott Eastwood, Xia Soua Chang, Sonny Vue, Doua Moua, Greg Trzaskoma, John Johns, Davis Gloff, Thomas D. Mahard, Cory Hardrict, Nana Gbewonyo, Arthur Cartwright, Austin Douglas Smith, Conor Liam Callaghan, Michael E. Kurowski, Julia Ho, Maykao K. Lytongpao, Carlos Guadarrama, Vincent Bonasso, William C. Fox    

Description: Disgruntled Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) sets out to reform his neighbor, a Hmong teenager who tried to steal Kowalski's prized possession: a 1972 Gran Torino.

Review: Detroit is not the same anymore. The neighborhoods that used to belong to the elite white people are now overwhelmed  by immigrants. Aggressive gangs of Latinos and Asians fight it out. It’s not that strange that Walt Kowalski, played by Clint Eastwood, is constantly complaining and growling. The Korean War veteran sees his neighborhood aggravate every day. Since his wife’s death, there isn’t any joy in his life. His two sons want him in an elderly home, but Walt is still active. It’s painful to see how distant father and sons are. Walt does find a purpose in his life again, which comes from an unexpected angle.
“Gran Torino” focusses on the difference between two cultures in Detroit. Walt doesn’t want anything to do with the new Asian neighbors. Especially not when the sixteen year old Tao tries to steal his Gran Torino. When he later saves Tao, from violent relatives, Walt is given presents as a thank you. Tao was given the task by his nephew to steal the car, as a test, but Tao doesn’t want to be a part of that gang. Walt doesn’t understand why the family is giving him so much attention, until he talks to daughter Sue. She manages to get on his good side. To make up for his mistake, Tao starts working for Walt.
An old formula: Two different people, in character and age, become friends. Walt teaches young Tao some valuable lessons and Tao makes sure Walt opens his heart. Clint Eastwood takes on the leading role, but also directs. And he does this wonderfully. It’s my favorite Eastwood directed movie. His opponents, Bee Vang and Ahney Her, also show us a strong performance.
Although “Gran Torino” uses this formula, it does work. This is thanks to the ending and how Eastwood plays with the different emotions. The theme of life and death is clearly present, which touches you.
“Gran Torino” is a wonderful film, that will leave a mark.

Rating: 5/ 5