Clint's Still Got It.

Rating: 8/10 (28 June 2014)

Shamefully the first and only Clint Eastwood movie I have seen in a theatre, "Gran Torino" is definitely a highlight in this mans legendary six decade career. Sure his influence to the Western and Police genre are timeless, but this performance pretty much cements how relevant Eastwood still is and how much he still has to offer the medium.
And so again with another tough guy persona, Clint plays Walt Kowalski. If there was anyone who can play the "There goes the neighbourhood" guy without overworking it, it's him. An angry Korean war veteran, whose only remaining happiness is his pristine Ford Gran Torino. His no bull attitude eventually makes him a hero to his working class Asian immigrant neighbours, and Walt inevitably comes to enjoy their company. A few undesirables leaves Walt to eventually take matters into his own hands, protecting the neighbourhood who have grown to love him in one of cinemas most recent touching endings.
The casting is arguable considering it features a lot of first timers, yet Clint has managed to choose his actors to fit there roles naturally and none of it ever comes off faked. Success is also risky when your starring and directing the movie, yet Eastwood's camera work is unflinching in depicting a local suburbia falling apart. The man still has the acting chops to hold up a movie, especially in the solo and tense standoff scenes (78 at the time, I still wouldn't mess with him).
Final Verdict: A somewhat charming and somewhat down to earth gritty street drama. "Gran Torino" isn't trying to say anything given some of the racist undertones, but it's another solid effort from Eastwood definitely worth seeing. 8/10.