Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Gran Torino (2008)

Director: Clint Eastwood

Time Out rating

Average user rating

72 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

When Eastwood’s follow-up to ‘Changeling’ was announced in May, he quickly refuted rumours that he was making, belatedly, another ‘Dirty Harry’ picture. If its trailer promises a vigilante movie, the comedy-drama on release is actually a rather wise, insightful exploration of family and friendship, violence and vengeance.

Admittedly, retired Detroit autoworker and Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski (Eastwood, in what, sadly, may be his last lead turn) initially comes across like a curmudgeonly elderly relative of Harry Callahan: unable to conceal his disdain for his folks, his late wife’s priest, and those now inhabiting his slightly run-down suburb, many of whom are Hmongs who left south-east Asia for the US due to the Vietnam War. One such is shy teen Thao (Bee Yang), whose reluctant initiation into a local gang involves stealing Walt’s beloved 1972 Gran Torino…

Cue, much conflict: Nick Schenk’s screenplay centres on the encounter between Walt – a politically incorrect old bigot scarred by war – and today’s multicultural society. But as the film proceeds, with Thao’s sassy sister Sue (Abney Her) arousing both Walt’s protective instincts and his hitherto neglected capacity for self-analysis, it becomes more complex and engaging and it’s often very funny (as in a barber-shop scene where traditional American ‘masculinity’is hilariously exposed as an absurd construct). Finally, there’s a very moving development that takes Walt way beyond Callahan’s ethos. Eastwood’s subtle performance is as charismatic and effective as ever, while the movie covers his abiding preoccupations – race, age, individualism in a conformist world – with wit and intelligence. And in insisting that friendship’s more important than blood ties (or religious faith), Clint quietly goes against the grain. Predictably superior fare.

Author: Geoff Andrew

Time Out London Issue 2009, 19-25 Feb, 2009

Email Tweet Share

User reviews of this film

E A Dobson said...

Posted on Jan 09 2011 18:03 I was put off seeing this film at the cinema because some reviews i read said it was full of racial stereotypes,well if it is it certainly didn`t spoil my enjoyment.I wish i had made that trip to watch it on the big screen.Bravo Clint!

Report as inappropriate
blank said...

Posted on Sep 29 2010 15:40 I enjoyed watching a movie that had something to do with hmong, but the movie just kind of gave the hmong people a bad name. First of all not all hmong is about gangs and violence. Second, the movie is stereotypical of what other's perspective of hmong is when the other party doesn't bother to really understand the hmong tradition.

Report as inappropriate
Mark2you said...

Posted on May 12 2010 21:07 This is a film about a car, a location and a way of life all of which are for many who watch ancient history, harking back to a time that with just a quick second glance you might dismiss as unfashionable and even al ittle eccentric.
Look closer, stand a little longer and as you you watch this film gradually enjoy a new-found liking for the Tourino and its backyard that is Chicago, today. Clint does Clint really well - grumpy, softer underbelly than some of his previous incarnations at the Mr Ugly show.
This time he does other nationaliries adapting to the big wide welcome of the Land of the Free to the ethnic minority.
I enjoyed the film in the way that you might get to enjoy bench seat automobiles with big tail fins and over-size steering wheels: not what we get around here but when they trun up they've probably got a great story in the glovebox just waiting to be told.

Report as inappropriate
Chris said...

Posted on Jan 22 2010 22:17 Gran Torino turned me scarlett with embarrassment. A truely dire film, and immensley disappointing. As for suggesting Eastwood deserves an Best Actor Oscar?!! The world's gone mad.....

Report as inappropriate
me said...

Posted on Jul 20 2009 16:21 Love it!

Report as inappropriate
Justin Berkovi said...

Posted on Jul 16 2009 15:28 Initially cynical due to mixed reviews I have to say that this is a beautiful and wonderfully crafted film.
Clint gives a stellar performance and the simple tale evolves into something very poignant and meaningful. The score is also absolutely brilliant.
Touching and a little easier to watch than the brilliant but harrowing 'Changeling'.
For me these films are the best of Clint's latest run of films. Fantastic and inspired film making.

Report as inappropriate
Technoguy said...

Posted on Jul 16 2009 14:00 Clint Eastwood a remarkable actor,director,man.A talented director sometimes starring in his own films(e.g.The Outlaw Josey Wales,Unforgiven).In the tradition of stars who project pure Americanism and rectify wrongs(Wayne,Cooper).Eastwood shows a willingness to examine his own screen persona(here comically,witness the macho talking scene in
the hairdressers).He shows a willingness to engage with contemporary issues,the immigration into formerly all white areas of Hmong Asians,the kind of people he might have fought in the Korean war.He has a warrior ethic and is outwardly bigoted and not
religious.However his family are only after his money and they are trying to get him into an old people's home and get his house and car.His real family become his next door neighbours who worship his courage and role-modelling abilities for their
son.Ever since The Outlaw Josey Wales Eastwood has shown a propensity for empathy with marginalised people and outsiders.In this film we get echoes
of Dirty Harry, Pale Rider and Unforgiven,but of a humanised kind without the fascist overtones. At the age of 78 to act,write and direct a major film is heroic.He suggests a mixing of global and local themes and shows how to wind the audience in with the unfolding of character.This film provides a great laugh but Walt has to make a great
sacrifice.Stunning.Not forgetting the dog!

Report as inappropriate
orangefizz said...

Posted on Jul 13 2009 09:58 I really enjoyed it. It was a simplistic , warm and witty film. I'm not sure its oscar material , some scenes are a bit 'yeah right' and his transformation from grumpy rascist to good neighbour is a not immediatley convincing but if thats the film clint wants to go out on, then so be it. I like his idea.

Report as inappropriate
scott said...

Posted on Apr 14 2009 16:57 movie is brilliant go see it,it is amazing it has a really good story and it has a great ending really racist but some parts are quite funny of the movie

Report as inappropriate
johnnyboy said...

Posted on Apr 13 2009 19:57 i cannot wait to see this film.clint is great

Report as inappropriate
Sparta said...

Posted on Apr 09 2009 22:21 A warm hearted and witty film that has plenty of hidden emotional messages. The endin is sublime. Just when you think that Clint may go down the dirty harry route you are touched by a selfish and emotional act to make others lifes better. Go and see the grumpy old man perform superbly. I loved it.

Report as inappropriate
DV said...

Posted on Apr 08 2009 12:05 A GREAT film! Hilariously funny and moving, not because of the acting, but because of the spot-on social comment.

Report as inappropriate
Matt John said...

Posted on Apr 08 2009 10:06 I know, Chrisjbarr, I know. I've seen it now. It was awesome, much as I suspected it to be... although only a matter of opinion, of course. What ARE you good at then son? x

Report as inappropriate
Chrisjbarr said...

Posted on Apr 07 2009 18:17 Im no good at english Matt John! So what. Go and see the film before commenting.

Report as inappropriate
Lindylou said...

Posted on Apr 06 2009 22:21 As much as I could gush on about it sometimes 'Less is more' I absolutey loved it'

Report as inappropriate