Academy ignores one of the all-time best, ever

Rating: 9/10 (3 March 2009)

The movie opens at the memorial services in the local cathedral for his wife Father Janovich (Christopher Carley), who looks like he just came from his high school graduation ceremony, presiding. Kowalski's two grown sons are in the congregation, along with his two spoiled, disrespectful grandchildren. There's a conversation between the brothers during the ceremony which, along with Kowalski's stiff guttural, under-the-breath utterances of disapproval, quickly and efficiently frame the man's character. By the time of the reception we see the whole picture.
Kowalski is a pure Detroit throwback, a shot-and-a-beer, love-it-or-leave-it, old-neighborhood-glorifying piece of work. Behind the gruff exterior is only a glimmer of anything sensitive or caring... much less tolerant of change. The other white ethnic Europeans Walt hangs out with basically see the world as he does, but they've grown into the times, and don't drag around a pain body the size of the Penobscot Building. Walt is not about to give up that pain body. Dammit, he earned it.
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Brian Wright Copyright 2009