Is this Eastwood's best film?

Rating: 9/10 (31 March 2009)

Despite a rather clumsy start this develops into an extremely well made and enjoyable film. Perhaps still in Dirty Harry mode Eastwood (director and actor)shows no subtlety with defining what we are watching in the first few minutes. His character, Harry Kowalski, is recently widowed, a racist, bigot, old-fashioned, doesn't get on with his offspring and frankly doesn't seem to have any discernible qualities. Like pouring petrol on a fire to get it started, once we've been over-stimulated with this information we are then treated to a slow burn, as Eastwood allows the film to progress at a wonderful steady pace. Kowalski's neighbours are Asian, indeed the whole neighbourhood appears to be foreign. Despite the efforts of his family Harry wants to stay put, displaying open bitterness to everyone. When a local gang targets his classic Gran Torino as an initiation act by his neighbours teenage son events are set in motion that will ultimately lead to the conclusion of the film. However, what separates this film from the 'norm' is that plot and character development are superbly handled, and are steered away from being too obvious on either score. Yes, Harry and his neighbours start to learn more about each other, but it never touches the point of being too schmaltzy. I think Harry is a good man, always probably has been, but like so many people in life, he is someone you have to get to know. Towards the end of the end I didn't want it to end. Like eating a really good meal, when you're down to those last few mouthfuls, I enjoyed this so much I just wanted it to go on. Eastwood has this film so much under control that the ending is not as predictable as you may imagine, yet still should bring a wry smile.