Cantankerous Clint carries this right to the end

Rating: 10/10 (8 April 2009)

Gran Torino is a perfect mix of comedy and tragedy, due to the skillful handling of the merging of both genres by director, Eastwood. He also plays the leading role as cantankerous Korean War veteran, Walt Kowalski.
The film centres on the life of Walt who from the outset is offensive, difficult and racially prejudiced since his experiences in the Korean War. We learn of his various character traits through his dialogue and relationships with the people around him – his two sons and their families, a priest (Carley) and his barber. When a large Hmong family moves next door, there is initial hostility from Walt. Then young Thao (Vang) attempts to steal Walt's treasured 1972 Gran Torino. This sparks a series of dramatic events and changes the tone of the film significantly, which is managed smoothly by Eastwood.
This is the first film for aspiring young actors, Vang and Her, who play their roles with understatement and maturity. However, it is Eastwood's superb characterisation of Kowalski that carries this film right to the end.