Deliciously Politically Incorrect

Rating: 8/10 (11 January 2009)

This movie feels like a cross between a modern film and 1970s-era Hollywood movie. Great acting, good story, and funny. Yet, it still is escapist entertainment and not a movie trying to sell you some philosophy. Very politically incorrect, which is refreshing without being a send-up. I won't give away any plot, but Eastwood plays a hard case, as you might expect. However, the supporting cast is pretty well drawn and has dimension that would be lacking in a run-of-the-mill revenge shoot-'em up. He gets a little push-back which keeps his character from being a cartoon. Clint Eastwood got some great performances out of these actors. You should start congratulating him now on his nomination for best director - there's no way it's not coming. The movie opened last weekend, but the 10p.m. showing tonight was sold out and we actually couldn't get a seat so we stood in the aisle rather than sit in the second row of seats. It was worth it to stand. Our whole audience laughed a lot and otherwise reacted, so the film "plays" to a diverse group and wide range of ages, although it is rated R for language, gang violence, and the requisite "adult themes". On that subject if you are sensitive to course language, this film is not for you. Having said that, your kids or friends probably already talk this way, so if you really don't like hearing the F-word as it is used by modern kids, then steer clear of this one.