Gran Torino (DVD)

Film Only Review ~~~~~~~~~~~ Gran Torino - When I first saw the title of the movie I thought it was going to be another Clint Eastwood western but the name actually refers to an American muscle car. For those who aren't sure what a 'muscle car' is let me enlighten you. It is an American classic performance car such as a 1969 Camaro Z28 which was the great passion of a guy called Sal Perez. This guy had served in the US military but always had a love for these beautiful cars so when returning to the 'real world' he started restoring these old beauties in his storage unit. Over the years his reputation grew, he moved upmarket and ressurrected many a car ...  Read the complete review

Let's face it, Clint Eastwood is a legend - perhaps not in terms of his acting abilities, but his directorial work has been very impressive to date. This run of form continues with his latest offering 'Gran Torino', a film which tells the story of the grumpy and prejudiced war veteran Walt Kowalski. Kowalski has seen his neighbourhood change around him from a white middle class area to a multiracial and dilapidated setting. As a result, the aging vet has some 'issues' with the Vietnamese family who have moved in next door. When Kowalski sorts out a gang related incident which has spilled over onto his property (hence my title), Eastwood's character is ...  Read the complete review

Clint Eastwood had announced he was retiring from the acting world and was fast becoming a remarkably eminent director. Let's face it, knowing Eastwood this was hardly going to last; like 'Million Dollar Baby', he was yet again seduced by a compelling character and deferred his retirement from acting. Knowing he never says no to a juicy role, I jumped at the chance to see this movie, which he both acts in and directs, hoping I wouldn't be painfully disappointed by yet another monumentally hyped up movie. (Always annoying) Eastwood plays the role of the enthralling bitter veteran named Walt Kowalski, whose wife that passed away, was his only salvation from the ...  Read the complete review

If, as he says, Gran Torino proves to be Clint Eastwood's swansong in front of the camera, then it's a fitting one. Not in the sense that it's his best film, or even close; nor is it that his character echoes some of his greatest on-screen moments. Rather, it's because it shows that he can still take what should be an unlikeable character and make the audience root for him. Because make no mistake about it, this is Eastwood's film from start to finish. Sure, other actors flit in and out, but the whole thing is structured to make sure that no-one takes the limelight away from him. Which is just as well, really, because take Eastwood's performance ...  Read the complete review

This is a film only review. Gran Torino is a film that made me both laugh and cry in the space of its 116 minutes. I had high hopes for it as it was directed and produced by Clint Eastwood who also starred in the film; I expected his cool guy toughness - and was not disappointed. Eastwood is an iconic actor turned later film producer and director. He is well known for his anti-hero roles. Plot ----- When the film opens, we see Walt Kowalski (an ex-Vietnam war veteran and retired Ford factory worker) at the funeral of his beloved wife with his two sons, Mitch and Steve and their unpleasant families. The camera follows Walt around ...  Read the complete review