Simply stunning, one of the best in recent years, Eastwood triumphs

Rating: 8/10 (30 December 2008)

I just got back from seeing a screening of this movie and I am still stunned by all the emotions this movie will pull out of your soul and heart. (Note: This was actually written on 11/28/08, but was not posted here until 12/30/08)
Quite simply, this is one of the best movies Eastwood has been in or directed. I won't go into a lot of details because quite a few others have already dropped enough spoilers that I feel no need.
Eastwood plays his well known and crusty character role, but with a lot of very funny and heart felt emotional twists.
At first I almost thought he was deliberately doing a send up of all his gruff and hardened characters, but as the film rolled I saw that he was doing what he seems to do best, with a lot of subtle nuances that he has not shown before.
I was completely lost in this movie after the first few minutes, and I was very sad to see it end. I have not recently seen a film with this level of quality and with the different depths of emotion and conflict that was evident here.
I saw the screening with quite a few industry people and critics, and everyone was completely overwhelmed and lost in the emotional ride this movie took us on. Many jaded and hard to impress people were in the screening theatre and everyone of them was laughing out loud and crying at many points along the way.
Sometimes we were laughing so hard that I missed some of the dialog, but that just shows how good this movie really is, and the level of humor was quite unexpected and refreshing.
I went in thinking this would be just another crusty old Clint engaging in violence and going on a rampage in his blighted neighborhood.
While there is some violence there is plenty of solid emotional moments and lots of unexpected belly laughs.
I have seen quite a few people question whether there are actually neighborhoods in America with the type of violence and gang activity going on. Yes, there really are quite a few places in the US where life is very much like this. Many places I have lived have had similar problems and major gang and violence problems.
This movie actually shows a very real picture of some of the Asian gangs and the crumbling and decaying underside of many cites. In some areas I have lived in the police would not respond to 911 calls or patrol the neighborhood without at least a full riot squad to back them up.
I recommend this movie to anyone looking for more than just the average drama/thriller/action movie. It rises above anything else this year and should be a big player in the Oscar nominations.
If Eastwood doesn't win than someone is missing the point of this movie and all the different aspects that Eastwood brings out of this very rich and complex story.
Yes, there are a few flaws with the acting on the part of the supporting cast, but it somehow adds some extra reality to the movie rather than bringing it down. Yes, the kid needs some more acting chops, but his fumbling portrayal actually somehow made it feel a little more real. You have to see it to understand what I mean.
Go see this movie and you will not be disappointed.