Rating: Butter Popcorn
In his first motion picture since 2004’s Academy Award-winning Million Dollar Baby, Clint Eastwood stars in Gran Torino as Walt Kowalski, a disgruntled racist Korean War veteran who is out to change a young Hmong teen’s life after he attempts to steal Kowalski’s most prized possession, a 1972 Gran Torino. As Kowalski unwillfully draws closer to the teen, he finds himself having to defend the boy and his family from the gangs that are trying to terrorize their neighbourhood.
Gran Torino is a story of redemption that focuses on the aging veteran’s life and his relationship with the Hmong teen as both of their characters change dramatically while they face the challenges that surround them. Since the death of Kowalski’s wife, the parish priest is constantly after him to redeem himself by confessing his sins and doing his penance, however Kowalski always pushes him aside. Will he ever come to peace?
Clint Eastwood takes on the roles of director and actor in screenwriter Nick Schenk’s first film. Gran Torino is not propelled by big explosions nor any special effects, but by its plot alone. Clint Eastwood gives a terrific performance that has the audience laughing because of his racial slurs, his grumbling and his iconic stare that reminds us of some of his earlier western movies.
Newcomers Bee Vang and Ahney Her, who play the roles of the Hmong neighbours, Thao Vang Lor and Sue Lor (Thao’s sister), perform decently, but nothing too spectacular. One of my favorite parts of this film is when Walt Kowalski is teaching Thao how to ask for a hair cut at the barber shop. Thao innocently tries to mimic Kowalski’s entrance by acting rude and throwing out racial slurs to the Italian barber. Ahney seems a little weak as Sue and could add a little more emotion to her character.
Warner Bros.’ Gran Torino is the first Hollywood film to incorporate the Hmong community, an Asian culture practically unknown to the world. It was the Hmongs who helped out the Americans during the Vietnam War. Through the film, we learn the history of the Hmong culture: who they are and what they did.
Although Gran Torino is not a must-see-in-theatres movie, it is definitely worth the watch. There has been some award buzz going around for Eastwood’s performance, but it’s pretty much all snuffed out. He was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Award, yet it was snatched by Milk’s Sean Penn. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association didn’t even nominate him for a Golden Globe! His last chance for a prestigious award will come on February 22nd, but only if he can secure an Oscar nomination, which his chances are slim with the wide pool of talented actors.
After playing in a limited number of theatres across North America for the past few weeks, Warner Bros.’ Gran Torino makes its wide release starting today.
Theatrical Release Date: December 12, 2008
12 Comments, Comment or Ping
Tami Dalton
Clint Eastwood was amazing, Gran Torino was the best movie I have seen in a very long time. Would recommend it to everyone!!!!
Jan 10th, 2009
Beth
I think it’s very sad and a huge mistake if Clint Eastwood is overlooked for his work on this very high quality picture.
He should at least be nominated for best director! It’s a travesty that he’s not.
Jan 12th, 2009
Anonymous
Clint Eastwood used his outward crankiness to come across as tough and yet also heroic at the same time, well done i’d say
Jan 16th, 2009
Sally
This is a very touching movie and Eastwood gives a phenomenal performance. I am going to see this movie a second time this weekend. I haven’t seen the same movie within one week in twenty years.
Jan 17th, 2009
Thomas Thompson
Clint Eastwood dedicated ‘Unforgiven’ to Sergio Leone and Don Siegel. I guarantee both are smiling down from Film Heaven at this amazing accomplishment by their star pupil, and at age 78! If it’s not recognized by the Academy in 2010, we’ll know the whole awards business is rigged.
Jan 23rd, 2009
Donna
I agree with Thomas Thompson. If the Academy doesn’t elect Eastwood and Gran Torino for a nomination this business of the Academy Awards is definately rigged. All who have seen this movie know who the real winner is of the Academy Awards - if they can’t aknowledge him of an award this year, they need to give it to him for 2010. If they can’t, the Academy is the looser and not Eastwood and Torino. Shame on the Academy. Ask the people who went to this great movie for the true insight ! Eastwood is an example to us all - young and old. Eastwood - Gran Torino -
“You Are the Winner “
Jan 26th, 2009
Jean Brunet
Unfortunately, Clint Eastwood didn’t receive a nomination for GRAN TORINO. Getting a nomination in 2010 for the same film is impossible as GRAN TORINO made its official release in 2008. I would have liked to seen him nominated for an Oscar, but I knew he wouldn’t go home with it.
Jan 26th, 2009
Paula
I just saw this movie, and believe that the Academy is truly out of touch with the people. I suppose if one has never known a crusty old man with a heart of gold it might seem a bit odd, but for many of us Eastwood portrays our grandfathers and elderly uncles. What a shame this movie was overlooked.
Feb 5th, 2009
Jean Brunet
I totally agree with you, Paula! The Academy Awards are voted by the members, which includes the actors. I recently read an article about the voting process for the nominations and the final ballot. They’re done very differently. If I can find that info again, I will probably write an article about it because I think it’s flawed, not just because Eastwood didn’t get nominated, but because how it all works. I’ll try to dig that up soon and have something out during the Oscar week! Thanks for the comment!
Feb 6th, 2009
Ed VandenDool
I found Gran Torino to be a really wonderful movie. Strong performances from all of the actors, and wondeful writing.. something that seems to be more of a rarity these days in movies.
The theme of redemption that runs thru this movie is presented with subtlety, and the development of characters is a tribute to Eastwood’s directing ability. Whether or not this movie deserves an award, it certainly deserves the wonderful reviews it is receiving, and it deserves to be seen.
Feb 8th, 2009
Mark Steele
Clint Eastwood has ALWAYS been snubbed by the Academy’s for the BEST ACTOR award. In a career bettered by almost no actor, and amongst all the awards Clint Eastwood has won over the years, he has never won the most prized of them, and that being the Academy award for BEST ACTOR. I find that very hard to believe. Especially with such performances in Unforgiven, Gran Torino, Heartbreak Ridge, Dirty Harry, ALL his westerns, and the list goes on. WHY has Clint Eastwood been snubbed, because the Academy’s are DEFINITELY rigged. I have been keeping a keen eye on this years Award nominations all the way from Australia, and I have bitterly disappointed that he misses out yet again. Clint has only been nominated for the award two or three times which is a joke. In 1992 for Unforgiven, he should have won, but was beaten by the lesser performance by AL PACINO in “Scent of a Woman”. The Academy Awards needs a BIG PLEASE EXPLAIN as to why this man keeps getting snubbed!!!
Feb 21st, 2009
Kelly Doerr
I agree with everyone. Clint Eastwood was really cheated. I saw the movie twice and enjoyed it just as much the second time. It really touched me.
Feb 26th, 2009
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