Gran Torino:Mr. Eastwood's last laugh

Rating: 8/10 (15 January 2009)

Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) has just buried his wife, ended his long term marriage, and begins what appears to be, a lonely life, until he, is lowered into the ground. At least that is what Mr. Kowalski, thinks how he will live out the rest of his days. Nothing could be further from reality, for Walt. When an Oriental family takes ownership of the house next door, Walt's life begins anew. To say that Mr. Kowalski, is set in his own ways, is to admit the obvious. A Korean War Veteran, this proud American, does not adapt to change very well, at all. This single factor, adapting, is the glue, which pulls this very funny film, together. The trailers, paint a very different image, for the movie viewing public. The trailers, make Mr. Kowalski out to be a very rude, violent, and closed individual. 90 percent of Gran Torino is a comedy. The jokes are all about humans and how to change and get along, no matter how different people are, on the outside. Mr. Eastwood, directed this coming of age film and how all of the characters in the film, no matter how old they are, can change. Sue Lor (Ahney Her) first approaches Mr. Kowalski, as one of his new neighbors, from the family next door. Sue, learns about Walt's loss of his wife, and shares similar feelings because she too, has just lost a loved one. Thao Vang Lor (Bee Vang) the younger brother of Sue, is the focal point, of the film, because of the relationship which he develops with Walt. The Grand Torino, is a beautiful car, owned by Walt, when he worked on the line, at Ford Motor Company. The car also has a history but it is better that the film viewers, find that out for themselves. To comfort Walt, is the role of Father Janovich (Christopher Carley) but in time, the priest and the widower learn to stand tall. As I said earlier, everyone in this film, learns, how to change. This is a period film and the attention that is paid to the era from whence it comes, stays true. Maybe we all should take a drive in the Gran Torino, and change.