Gran Torino: My favourite film of 2009 so far (Gran Torino (DVD))

Member Name: jthecrab

Product:	Gran Torino (DVD)
Date:	01/06/09 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It's a masterpiece

Disadvantages: The supporting cast cannot match up to Clint's greatness

Clint Eastwood directs and stars in the surprise hit of 2009, Gran Torino. This is also allegedly his last performance as an actor.

Clint plays Walt Kowalski, a grizzled veteran of the Korean War, retired Ford employee and resident of Michigan, the former powerhouse state of American industry. He a prejudiced, intolerant man with a narrow world view, whose obviously once white-dominated neighbourhood is now home mainly to foreign "invaders" (as Walt seems to view it).

The movie opens on the funeral of Walt's late wife and shows his incredibly inconsiderate children and grandchildren behaving appalingly and Walt's anger through gritted teeth.

We view Walt's vision of the world and his neighbour's, a family of Hmong refugees who fled Vietnam to escape persecution. There is a lot of particularly non "politically correct" humour in this film that is both funny and vital to the plot progression. It is worth pointing out that just because it is not "PC" that is not done for no good reason and there is no shame in laughing along. We can clearly see the ridiculousness of Walt's prejudice.

Among the family living next door to Walt are a young man named Thao and his sister Sue. The local Hmong gangbangers, led by their cousin Spider attempt to bring Thao into their gang, leading to confrontation with Walt.

Through the confrontation and Walt's ensuing actions the neighbours get to know one another, with Walt and Thao even becoming quite close. Walt even becomes something of an icon and a hero to his neighbourhood, much to his dismay.

Unfortunately for Walt and his new found companions, the gang will not let them have peace........................

Clint Eastwood is arguably the most on-form director in Hollywood right now. To follow up Changeling with this movie within less than a few months is the mark of a genius in my book. I liked Changeling a lot, but this is even better.

What I love about Gran Torino is the sheer simplicity with which Eastwood has produced such a high quality movie. It's not flashy and is so much the better for it. Admittedly the supporting actors are often not up to much which is the only failing of the film. But that is easily forgiven.

This movie is smart, funny, involving, engaging, fascinating and extremely poignant. There is a great sense of being on a very real journey with an entirely imperfect old man and you absolutely cannot help but root for Walt in the end as the fickle hand of fate deals him his opportunity of redemption.

When people look at the movie awards given out in 2009 they naturally comment that Mickey Rourke was robbed of the best actor role for his portrayal of Randy The Ram in The Wrestler (and boy was he robbed!!). But for me the biggest injustice is how The Academy failed to nominate Gran Torino for even a single award, especially when something as turgid as Benjamin Button not only got nominated for a raft of Oscars but actually took some prizes home. I'm not saying it's necessarily a better film (that is a matter of personal opinion), but Gran Torino is at least equally as well directed as Slumdog (Danny Boyle) was. Clint should also have got the best actor nomination as well.

Bless you Clint Eastwood. As an actor you couldn't have gone out on a better note. I defy anybody not to have a lump in their throat as the great man himself sings over the end credits.

Summary: Simplicity itself. Gran Torino is basically too well made to get the recognition it deserves.