Gran Torino [M]

Cantankerous and retired autoworker and Korean War veteran, Walt Kowalski, cannot find peace with the rest of the world. Since the death of his wife, he has become hostile and isolated, an attitude that is amplified by his hatred of the Hmong immigrants that inhabit his streets, a family of which live right next door.  But through a series of events Walk finds himself becoming attached to and protecting his neighbours from the local gang that feeds on violence and fear. 

Oh this is a beautiful movie, a most heart warming story with a wrenching climax that is filled with lovely messages of acceptance, giving and taking chances, and creating unlikely friendships. 

Cantankerous and retired autoworker and Korean War veteran, Walt Kowalski, cannot find peace with the rest of the world. Since the death of his wife, he has become hostile and isolated, an attitude that is amplified by his hatred of the Hmong immigrants that inhabit his streets, a family of which live right next door.  But through a series of events Walk finds himself becoming attached to and protecting his neighbours from the local gang that feeds on violence and fear. 

Directed, produced, and starring Clint Eastwood, indeed rumoured to be the last film that he will star in, Gran Torino is a most beautifully constructed drama. 

I think what I loved most about it was the heart wrenching dramatic irony that encased the entire thing. The central story about personal transformation, growth, and overcoming racism is just beautiful; a real tearjerker if ever there was one. And yet the film is set against this really harsh and brutal modern neighbourhood where rape and violence at the hands of harsh youths await on practically every corner. It really is like a flower cracking and growing through concrete. 

Then there is the ironic transformation of the central protagonist himself. Beginning the film as a cantankerous and racist bastard who you really would not like to be in the same room with, he grows into the most beautiful and admirable type of hero (I’m not saying more on that, you’ll have to rent the film). 

Clint Eastwood’s performance as Walt was superb: cantankerous, solitary, harsh, but then really lovely when the outer layer of callous coating began to fall away. He was beautiful. 

Starring Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Christopher Carley, Brian Haley, Geraldine Hughes, Brian Howe, and John Carroll Lynch, Gran Torino is a beautiful film filled with drama, acceptance, action, violence, comedy, and friendship. I teared up once or twice, it was absolutely beautiful!