"They Don't Make 'em Like They Used To..."
Just finished watching Gran Torino. I suppose I should start by telling you what my expectation had been before I saw the film.
I am a Clint Eastwood fan, and have been since I was quite young. "Unforgiven," "Fistful of Dollars," just two of the many films starring this wonderful actor that I have thoroughly enjoyed over the years.
I was excited for the film after having seen the trailer, and went in with fairly high expectations.
"Clint Eastwood is getting OLD." That was my first thought when I began watching this movie. His character, Walt Kowalski, is a recent widower and Korean War vet who lives in a neighborhood that has been quite inundated by Korean people. He is very "Old School" in his thinking, and very set in his ways. The sheer number of racial slurs uttered by this man during the nearly two hour film was mind-boggling. These extremely inappropriate comments made for, at least for me, a lot of comedy.
The overall tone of this film, however, was somber, dealing with loss, death, reconciliation of guilt, racism, and loneliness.
Mr. Eastwood's acting was stellar, as usual, and he completely sold me on his rough-necked, crotchety character. The supporting cast did a fine job, but it was really Clint, who sold this film for me.
I expected something else in the climax, but was in no way disappointed with what took place. Things went where they needed to go, and though the film was almost two hours, never seemed gratuitous.
I was moved by the emotions conjured by the story, the performances, and no holds barred approach to the story telling.
This film has gotten a lot of praise, and deserves all of it. I highly recommend treating yourself to this, the latest offering from Clint Eastwood. Let's face it folks, he's not getting any younger, and seeing him in true form may, unfortunately, not happen too many more times. Don't miss him in Gran Torino, possibly one of his best yet.
Movie News
1 Comments
3 Comments