Real people in the real world

Rating: 10/10 (25 July 2009)

My wife and I recently saw Gran Torino for the second time. That alone should tell you we liked it, and it was even better the second time. The movie shares quality with all the other movies that Eastwood has directed: the characters are very real. Nobody is perfectly good, nobody is purely evil. Rarely is anybody drop-dead gorgeous. Most of the characters are quite ordinary people, just trying to get along in life. The people look and act like real people, like people you could expect to run into on the street.
These real people are put into a story that has two intertwined plots. First, there is Kowalski, played by Eastwood. He is an old fellow whose wife has just died and who is bothered by memories of his military service in Korea, service that he is proud of but nonetheless troubled by. Second, there are the Hmong immigrants and their difficulties of assimilating into American society. Anyone with a family of recent immigrant origin will understand their situation. Kowalski interacts with the Hmong, each learning something from the other. It could be sappy and maudlin, but it most definitely isn't. It is very well done.
The movie overall is a serious undertaking, but it also has a lot of Eastwood's characteristic humor. I nearly split my sides during the scene when Kowalski tries to teach the Hmong kid how to talk like a working class American, even the second time I saw the movie and knew what was coming. The lingo and mannerisms were right on the mark. The banter between the Polish Kowalski and his Italian barber was another gem. The scenes of Kowalski interacting with his parish priest also are very good. As a descendant of Italian immigrants who told stories of their rivalry with the Poles living in the neighboring development in Aliquippa, PA, I can say confidently that those parts of the dialog are accurate and genuine.
As usual with Eastwood's films, Gran Torino opens a window on an aspect of real life and gives it a thoroughly credible and realistic treatment. I already have watched the movie twice. I expect to buy the DVD at some point and watch it some more. What better recommendation could I give?