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Gran Torino (2008)

Director: Clint Eastwood

Time Out rating

Average user rating

68 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 2009-02-17 10:56:04

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

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User reviews of this film

Rosielou85 said...

Posted on Apr 02 2009 09:59 What can I say, this film is brilliant, a credit to Clint Eastwood, amazing acting, a twist to the ending, interesting themes, left something to think about and I think men and woman, older adn younger would enjoy it. A thumbs up from me! I love the way Clints character `warms up` as the film goes on. Go see it!

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malcolm key said...

Posted on Mar 31 2009 07:33 i wish i'd left after an hour like Beegee said, 15th march. in fact i wish i'd left immediately and gone to another screen.this film is apallingly dull!! i got taken in by the 'clint' hype.

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monica said...

Posted on Mar 30 2009 01:48 fantastic film.my boyfriend and i both enjoyed it. good work Clint.

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Danny-K said...

Posted on Mar 29 2009 18:23 I've been waiting for someone to comment on something so obvious, that it's not really worth mentioning - so no one has - but I'll bring it up anyway.
- Clint's surname in the film - KOWALSKI. A little bit of play on the irony front there. So Walt's an out-and-out American; but a racist. The irony is that Walt is descended from a Polish father, So Walt too, comes from recent immigrant stock - yet he despises all the foreigners around him. A nice touch on Clint's part naming the main lead thus.

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tania A said...

Posted on Mar 28 2009 18:06 A bit slow at start but then it got brilliant. A great movie and worth seeing

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woodie said...

Posted on Mar 27 2009 19:32 Wonderful. Clint Eastwood has produced a touching, if hugely politcally incorrect movie that proves, once again why the man is a true Film Star. This is not necessarily a comfortable movie and covers some hoary subjects but it does so with intelligence, subtlety and, above all, much humour. If this is Clint's acting swansong - then he's left on a great note! See it.

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handsome devil said...

Posted on Mar 25 2009 11:46 excellent, i loved this film and will buy it on the day of release.

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Diana D said...

Posted on Mar 25 2009 09:57 This film was absolutely fantastic. Everyone should see it and see how ridiculous it is to be racist and vile to our fellow man. We are all human and all should be treated with respect. Clint was terrific and the ending was superb. Take your tissues!

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miles said...

Posted on Mar 24 2009 14:20 i agree with all -this goes to show the oscars are worthless -they give it to mediocre copies of hong kong -bollywood remaKES LIKE DEPARTED AND SLUMDOG -pathetic -even las t year they ignored charlie wilsons war and in valley of elah -
and now this was totally ignored too -
awards are just political now -not about art

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TRUTH TELLER said...

Posted on Mar 23 2009 00:59 Went to see this again to see if my first impression was correct.
It was.
This is a brilliant film.
Clint Eastwood's performance is worthy of an Oscar.
Amazingly, Clint wasn't even nominated.
Instead, Hollwood gave the Oscar to Sean Penn in "Harvey Milk"-a left-wing political movie that few people even wanted to see because it was just Sean Penn playing a pompous buffoon-himself.
Hollywood is pathetic and run by self-destructive morons but then you already knew that was true.

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usman khawaja said...

Posted on Mar 22 2009 12:45 A RARE TREASURE -BETTER THAN ALL THE OTHER MEDIOCRE PRETENTIOUS DRIBBLE -I WILL BUY THE DVD FOR SURE TOO -I HOPE CLINT PUTS A LOT OF SPECIAL FEATURES IN IT -THE ONLY MOVIW WORTH WATCHING OTHER THAN CHE

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Ross said...

Posted on Mar 20 2009 14:02 Oscars are not possible I don't think because this is technically a 2008 film having being released last year in the USA...
Which is an amazing miss because I thought this film was fantastic!!
Best movie I've seen since 'In Bruges' - funny, warm and a good ending...

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Gen Sir R Fossil Bluff said...

Posted on Mar 19 2009 17:24 on a school bus the teenage lacrosse team singing theme from RAWHIDE , grand torino indeed clint ,another cracking piece of entertainment , as a soldier one pledges ones life for your country , on the otherhand as oliver reed said "I am an entertainer" that they are best regard R Fossil-Bluff

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Sarah Xenia said...

Posted on Mar 18 2009 21:08 Fantastic film. Really enjoyed this. Cantankerous old racist who has alienated relationships with his children and is hanging on to his horrible experiences in Koria is softened and finally melted by the Hmong family he lives next door to. Beautifully resolved film, beautifully put together. Very funny for the most part. Very moving at the end. Go and see it. Its a real keeper.

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critique said...

Posted on Mar 17 2009 11:23 A strange film. There are several engrossing moments and Clint is as watchable as ever but some of the acting and dialogue is embarrassingly poor and too many characters and scenes are cliche-ridden.

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