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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

Trustworthy said...

Posted on Feb 28 2009 03:32 one of the most boring film i've ever seen..soo dull and fool..please dont waste ur money and time..really worthless

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mary of inverurie said...

Posted on Feb 26 2009 18:13 Enjoyed this film. Almost full house when I attended. Lots of laughs. Even though predictable at times, it still held my attention- no falling alseep here!!

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Atiq said...

Posted on Feb 25 2009 14:42 was a good film, too much sex in it for myself but youngsters would love it, considering there giving free condoms for couples and my wife ran off with the milk man, not too bad of a film x

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Stu said...

Posted on Feb 24 2009 12:26 I've just seen the movie and to be honest, as a massive Clint fan was disappointed at what I saw. The title and marketing of the film set the film up to be something it isn't. It's enjoyable enough but a little slow with some poor acting and very predictable scenes that frustrate. You don't need to think throughout the movie, it doesn't stretch the imagination enough. It's all there, all the ingredients for great film but it just doesn't hold together. Do go and see it though, it's good value but not Clint's best work, taking into account what he has achieved. C'mon Clint, give us one last BlockBuster! x

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Monica said...

Posted on Feb 23 2009 13:01 No doubts - this is one of the best movies I've seen in a while now. Great story line, well acted, funny and sad, very moving story, so don't be surprised if you shed a tear by the end of the movie..
Howver I don't think it would be suitable for the youngsters.

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Bara Evans said...

Posted on Feb 22 2009 18:02 Geoff Andrew's review is spot on. The film also says something because it's about traditional American values like making things and borrowing sparingly and self-reliance as they play out today in a flakier world. The film is about how an old and angry American finds these values plus friendship and love today. It's nearly a vigilante film - with all the thrill of that - but with up-lifting twists.

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Bara Evans said...

Posted on Feb 22 2009 18:01 Geoff Andrew's review is spot on. The film also says something because it's about traditional American values like making things and borrowing sparingly and self-reliance as they play out today in a flakier world. The film is about how an old and angry American finds these values plus friendship and love today. It's nearly a vigilante film - with all the thrill of that - but with up-lifting twists.

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Marsellus said...

Posted on Feb 18 2009 16:06 I saw this one a while back and I'm sorry to say that I was slightly disappointed.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good-ol' Clint movie. Dirty Harry and Unforgiven are two awesome films! I just felt that the writing was a little ham-fisted and the points were hammered home instead of being subtly conveyed to the audience. We get it that Clint is racist, we get it that his family don't appreciate him... we don't need reminded of these points every five minutes. Also, the supporting actors were awful! While they may be authentic Hmong people, their acting is amateurish at best.
On the plus side, Clint was on form as ever playing a strangely likeable racist old bigot. He does have a way with one-liners and there are some corkers here. It was good to see Clint back in front of camera and it is sad to think that it may be his last time. The character of Walt was a perfect swan song for Clint. It is just a shame the movie wasn't up to the standard of some of his last few films (Million Dollar Baby, Mystic River, Changeling).

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