Eastwood at his best

Rating: 8/10 (17 June 2009)

Beneath all the nastiness of this heavy drama, there is a surprisingly compelling level of emotion. It is a story about the rejuvenation of one man's mind which gets him to care for something to such extent that he is willing to die for it. Clint Eastwood is a miracle of Hollywood. Fifty years in film and he continues to shine through, no matter what role it is, acting, producing, directing and even composing. All the years of experience have payed off, especially here. I've never seen him act better, than in Gran Torino.
Eastwood is Walt Kowalski, a retired Korean war veteran. He is a widower, a grump, and a racist. His anger reaches extremities one night when his young, Hmong (southeast Asian) neighbor Theo attempts to steal his 1972 Gran Torino. In an act of atonement, Theo offers to work for the old man. Walt is unwilling at first, but eventually takes the kid on as an apprentice. Walt suddenly finds that he is closer to this kid than his own family, and is even willing to risk his life when he decides to take action against Thao's ruffian bully cousin and his gang.
Most have said that Gran Torino is good but not great, probably because the racist themes are overdone. I disagree. This is how Eastwood keeps you engaged, and if you are not bothered by bad language and mean- spirited behavior, than you will not be disappointed in the least. Eastwood is working harder now than he ever was in his career. His performance in this is so strong that I am convinced he will act again.