Gran Torino

When will Eastwood stop making incredible films- A legend, is what he is.

This line alone is the reason why everyone should see Clint Eastwood in Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino.

Clint Eastwood may be old now, but he can still make the toughest bad guy cry for mummy while peeing in their pants. This is like Dirty Harry in his senior citizen years.

Clint Eastwood has portrayed many vengeful, unforgiving, bad ass and heroic characters in his time but none compare to Walt Kowalski.

Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is an old, cynical, racist war veteran whose wife has just past and who has a negative relationship with his son and most of his family – actually with people in general. For example, Walt hates the fact that his son bought a Toyota rather than an American car, because Walt fought the Japanese and worked for Ford on the manufacturing line, where he built his 1972 Ford Gran Torino. All Walt has now is his dog, his Gran Torino, his beer and his gun collection.

Gran Torino focuses around Walt and the relationship he develops with his new Chinese/Hmong neighbours. Walt is less than partial towards his new neighbours, being the racist old man he is. Through a series of events involving the young Hmong teenager from next door, Thao Vang Lor, or Toad as Walt calls him, and the teenage girl Sue Lor, Walt becomes more comfortable and friendlier towards his Hmong neighbours. They are most thankful for Walt's courage and generosity. The entire Hmong family gifts him with copious amounts of exotic foods but more importantly they see him as a type of guardian or protector of the neighbourhood.

The main issue in the film deals with the teenage neighbour Thao (Toad). Toad's cousin is in an Asian street gang who are trying to recruit Toad. Toad is restrained at first, refusing to join the gang. Unfortunately peer pressure gets the best of him and he is forced to steel Walt's 1972 Gran Torino. Toad feels guilty and agrees to do chores for Walt. Walt ends up helping Toad get a job, find a girlfriend and teaches him to talk like a man. Together they build a strong friendship, almost father son like. Walt knows it will all be for nothing and that Toad's life will become disastrous with the gang still around. So Walt decides it's time to make a stand – the dual to end all duels. What happens is so poetic and profound that it becomes more than a movie, but a movie with a personal message from Clint Eastwood.

Gran Torino is one of my favorite films. It was funny as hell just listening to Walt talk. You will never see or hear anything like it in a movie again. Some of my favorite lines are:
“Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while you shouldn't have messed with? That's me”
or…
(sneering and aiming his gun) “Get off my lawn!”
Or probably his greatest line…
“grrrrrr”.

I believe Gran Torino couldn't have been any more of a perfect film.

Gran Torino is magnificent.