Hero

Rating: 10/10 (24 December 2008)

Clint Eastwood is perhaps the greatest American Film Director working today. In "Gran Torino" Clint gives a powerful and riveting performance in his best work as an actor. At 78 years old Director and Actor Eastwood is inspiring and continues to do amazing compelling work. I think Eastwood deserves a Best Actor Nomination. As widower and Korean War hero Walt Kowalski, Clint Eastwood is the familiar strong tough guy, genuinely funny, and touchingly vulnerable. Eastwood commands an authenticity and humanity. The screenplay by Nick Schenk from the story by Dave Johannson and Schenk is a stark tale of prejudice, and possibility in a world of no possibility. In an emotional confession to Father Janovich (good Christopher Carley) Walt says, "Sue and Thao will never find peace in this world as long as there are gangs" Walt is resolved to find peace for Sue (Ahney Her) and Thao (Bee Vang).
Eastwood's Walt is old school. He is a decorated Silver Star Korean War hero, and retired Ford Motors worker. He lives in a small town in Michigan. A Hmong family (of the Thailand, Saigon region) has recently moved next door. Two of the teens are Sue (Her) and Thao (Vang). Walt has a flair for using colorful racial epithets. Here Eastwood is subtle mastery in enrolling us into Walt in spite of himself, hinting at a noble old man reclaiming his usefulness.
As "Gran Torino" opens we observe Walt's wife funeral. Walt lets out an ominous cough. We learn that crotchety Walt has two estranged grown sons, Mitch (great exasperated Brian Haley) and Steve (solid Brian Howe). Mitch and his wife Karen (Geraldine Hughes) are concerned about Walt caring for himself, and suggest a care home facility. Obviously, this does not go over well at Walt's Birthday party.
Coerced by his cousin Spider (Doua Moua) as gang initiation, Thao attempts to steal Walt's prized vintage Gran Torino. Walt clumsily scares Thao off. Later Spider and his gang return to punish Thao's failure. Then Walt intervenes in vintage Eastwood style aiming his Army rifle: "Get off my lawn!" The grateful Hmong families repay Walt's heroism with gifts of flowers and food. The reclusive Walt questions why? Sue (Her) says, " You're a hero." Tellingly Walt replies, "No, I'm no hero." Like the Hmong families, we know better. For family honor Thao's mom Vu (earnest Brooke Chia Thao) implores Walt to accept Thao's apology and labor. Hysterically Walt questions whether he is the one being punished for a good deed, and advises Thao listen to Sue and his Mom and "Shut up."
Walt also becomes the hero renewed as he begins to see and inspire the greatness in others. Director Eastwood and Writer Schenk tell this story in eloquent and understated style. Walt admires Sue's smarts and spirit. Walt in an audience cheering moment has to save Sue from street thugs. Later Sue admits that what she did could have ended badly. She also enlightens Walt of the future of her people, "The girls go to college. The boys go to jail."
Walt begrudgingly sees that Thao (or "Toad") is a great kid. Eastwood displays a light comic touch as he tells Thao that he is being dense in not asking out the cute girl at a family party. In a classic Eastwood scene, Walt takes Thao to buy tools for his new job at a hardware store. Walt dismisses this as no big deal. Thao insists, "I really appreciate this No, I really do." They shake handssubtle screen magic. Bee Vang is a brilliant young presence.
Eventually the gang exacts retribution committing heinous and unforgivable acts of violence. Walt sees that Sue and Thao are sentenced to a life of no possibility as long as there are gangsand this must end. Thao asks Walt, "What is it like to kill someone?" Walt quietly says, "You don't want to know."
"Gran Torino" may be the best movie of the year. Eastwood and Schenk compassionately tell a story of reconciling prejudice, the innate greatness in people, and inspired heroes. Ahney Her gives a breakthrough performance as Sue. Her strong textured performance is amazing. Bee Vang is astounding in his authenticity and his screen partnership with Eastwood. Their relationship is inspired and the soul of "Gran Torino". This is really Eastwood at his best. His performance is strong, light and funny, and movingly humane. Eastwood truly inspires and celebrates the best in humanity in his amazing and heart felt "Gran Torino".