Relevant and greatly entertaining.

Rating: 9/10 (15 February 2012)

I'm giving this film nine stars only because, as so many other viewers have mentioned, the acting has problems and there are some unrealistic elements to the plot. Those problems should merit another star or two taken off, but in this case, I'm forgiving a lot because I think this is a tremendously meaningful film. It personally showed me that I'm not alone in some of the ways I look at the direction society is taking, so my opinion is biased. I'm going to go into some detail here in how I saw the film because of it.
Walt's life shows elements of our country which can be disturbing, the dark side of American culture. Walt has worked hard and invested himself in a home, a family, a job, a war, and a very nice car, the famed Ford Gran Torino that much of this movie revolves around. His attitude is that of a gruff man who has been expected to perform - morally, domestically, militarily, and economically - to work for what is his as a man, in partnership with his now-passed wife. And he did. But in the twilight of his life, he finds himself with spoiled children and grandchildren with an unmistakable sense of entitlement, a family which doesn't respect him and wishes to divide his assets and shovel him off to the retirement home as quickly as they can. The sense of investment into one's community has been abandoned, his neighborhood shows it, and he has been forgotten.
In contrast to his family, he comes to know the neighbors, Hmong immigrants with a strong sense of family and tradition. After much hesitation brought about by his surface prejudice, he realizes, and literally says to himself, that he has more in common with the foreigners than he has with his own spoiled-ass family. With the neighborhood in trouble, Walt's strength is called back into demand, and he cares for people as he knows how: Defending them physically and morally, guiding the youth with potential into a responsible life at the cost of his own.
The best part of this is at the end, when Walt wills his beloved Gran Torino to the decent immigrant kid instead of his self-absorbed granddaughter. The message is straightforward: The ones who will inherit the best of our society are the ones who show character and respect, the universal ethic of those who invest instead of consume. This kind of message is wonderfully satisfying if you appreciate what the film is trying to do, and out of step with mainstream productions in the best way.
Of course, it has its flaws, but its disappointing to see as many critical reviewers here focusing on how unlikable Walt is, or the irreverent, jocular ethnic bantering that barely constitutes genuine racism. Any significant amount of that quickly dies when Walt is exposed to reality: He's actually a better judge of character than most people. Eastwood embodies the role wonderfully. Of course he's a flawed character: The film would have no realism whatsoever if he wasn't. But it's a very idealistic film that starts with the grim outlook and establishes a relevant point of view creatively and meaningfully. It also happens to be funny as hell and well written, so it certainly isn't a chore to watch. Forget minor flaws and enjoy.