Brilliant and challenging storytelling

Rating: 9/10 (7 November 2014)

I just loved this movie, sure its tough at times to hear 'Walt' being such a racist ass but I took it in an Archie Bunker kind of way, he's ignorant and we're meant to dislike him for it. Walt is also stuck in a bygone era, trapped with his memories of the war and alone after the death of his wife, a changing neighborhood and grown children he doesn't know or particularly even like. He finds he has more in common with the transplanted Hmong family living next door than his own.
This is equal parts hilarious, offensive and heartbreaking. Clint directs and stars (and is awesome) as a bigoted, grumpy Korean War veteran who despite himself befriends the Asian teen that (under threat from gangsters) had tried to steal his car; a mint 1892 Gran Torino. An unlikely friendship that changes both their lives.
Brilliant storytelling. Hilarious when he growled at people and yup, Clint can still kick serious ass. I totally choked up during the scene when he leaves his dog with the old woman next door and the ending surprised me. 04.15.14