Jun

20

Gran Torino (2009)

Posted by Movie_Maven

June 20, 2009 |

Clint Eastwood is a master storyteller.  His direction, particularly as of late with such films as “Million Dollar Baby” and “Mystic River” and, (from what I’ve heard but haven’t seen yet) “Changeling” offer an insight into storytelling lost in many contemporary directors. 

He does it again in “Gran Torino.“ Playing war vet Walt Kowalski, an embittered old man whose wife recently died and who has a poor relationship with his two sons and their families and living in the middle of the cultural melting pot of Detroit, MI, next door to a family of Hmong people (typically from Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia) with whom he shows obvious disdain, Kowalski is pursued spiritually by an ambitious young priest and is forced to confront his past demons toward his own salvation.  After the teenaged son of the Hmong family, Thao, attempts to steal his prized possession — a 1972 Gran Torino — during a gang initiation, Kowalski’s determination to teach the boy that he is ultimately responsible for his choices and essentially takes him under his wing and, in doing so, grows close to the entire family and makes choices himself that transform him from bitter old man to, in my opinion, hero. 

As is the case with many Eastwood-directed/produced films, character development is central and this film follows suit.  Despite the moments of humorous dialogue, this film is an intense drama and elicited much emotion from me (while giving Mr_Movie_Maven ample opportunity to chuckle at my repeated requests for the kleenex box.)  I didn’t like Kowalski’s character in the beginning of the film — I assume the audience isn’t supposed to — however his own personal growth is both beautiful and subtle and the film succeeds despite the amateur acting of much of the cast who had never acted before.  What could have easily been a routine film about a grumpy old racist war vet was elevated by Eastwood’s portrayal of the character and the subtle nuances he brings to his performance coupled with his directorial prowess.

Oh, and the car is SWEET!!


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