For those who consider 78 years old to be hopelessly over the hill, I give you Clint Eastwood. He has not only directed two movies that were released this year but plays the starring role in "Gran Torino" with the same vital intensity he had way back when Dirty Harry made him a household name. What a guy. Walt Kowalski, the crusty Korean War vet portrayed by Eastwood, is a perfect fit for the minimalist actor, who does plenty of snarling and squint eyed glaring but manages to bring much humanity to this character. Recently widowed, Kowalski lives with his dog Daisy in a rough neighborhood full of gangbangers and ethnic minorities, causing increasingly dangerous conflicts when the angry old man begins to confront the young toughs. A Hmong family living next door further complicates Kowalski's life when the son Thao (Bee Vang) tries to steal Walt's pride and joy, a vintage Gran Torino, as part of a gang initiation. It's a matter of honor to the family for the boy to make amends, so he begins a testy apprenticeship with Kowalski which neither one of them really wants. Of course the relationship that develops proves transformational for both. Walt grows close to Thao's sister Sue (Ahney Her) as well, setting up an escalating war between the vet and the siblings' gun toting, bullying cousins who are pressuring Thao to join their gang.
An additional thorn in Kowalski's side is an annoying young priest (Christopher Carley) who was close with Walt's late wife and promised her he would persuade her husband to take confession after she is gone. There's an amusing antagonism between them that becomes more interesting as the movie goes on. Meanwhile Walt's meddling sons are convinced that their father would be better off in a home, a pretty pointless and unnecessary story line that detracts from the other, more involving issues. Although there are many somewhat predictable plot elements and a few too many stereotypes, what makes the film work is the subtle way its characters slowly move towards each other to create unlikely but touching alliances. Eastwood proves once again that he's anything but washed up.
Things to love about this movie: Walt's unspoken love for his dog Daisy, her wonderful smile and the way he confides in her; Bee Vang's sweet, amazing performance; some interesting facts about Hmong customs and background
Things to hate about this movie: A little heavy handed at times with a few too many racial jokes and epithets (we get it already); Kowalski's two sons are pretty much standard jerks who add little to the story
Pleasant surprises: Sue is a delightfully feisty female who brings welcome energy to the rundown surroundings; the dog isn't killed off for a change (always a cheap shot)
Unpleasant surprises: A scene featuring some young neighborhood guys harassing Sue feels like overkill as an excuse for Walt to once more save the day
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3 comments:
For me, this was one of the biggest disappointments of the year. Whatever happened to the subtlety of Eastwood's best work, such as Unforgiven.
I did not see Changeling but have heard from more than one source that, in that film also, the characters are lacking in subtlety and nuance.
I felt that Eastwood's performance was an older man's reprise of Dirty Harry and it did not work for me.
Wow, I'm surprised. I agree that there are things in this movie that completely lack subtlety, but even though I thought it would be a Dirty Harry type of movie when I saw the trailer, I found the movie itself to be more interesting, especially with the Hmong family component. I also loved the way Eastwood's character Walt related more to his dog than to his sons.
I also liked the Hmong family and Walt's developing relationship with them and agree with you that Walt's love for his dog was one of the best elements of the story. Still disappointed in general though.
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