One of Clint Eastwood's best films

Rating: 10/10 (21 August 2019)

One of my personal favourites, Gran Torino is one of those films that lingers on your mind long after watching it. The story is of an unlikely friendship that begins and ends with the protagonist's, Walt Kowalski's, Gran Torino. A veteran from the Korean War, Walt, spends his days trying to prove to everyone that he's the most cynical person they've ever met. Set in a poor, crime infested neighbourhood, young Tao from next door is pressured into stealing Walt's prized possession, the Gran Torino, as a symbol of his loyalty to his gang member relatives. Upon failing, Tao returns to Walt's house offering his services as a handy man as punishment for his crime. As friendships develop between the two most unlikely of friends, Walt realized that he may just have more in common with his local Hmong neighbours than he originally thought. Clint Eastwood gives his all, as both director and actor, in this film as he strips away the romanticised idea of friendship to uncover it's raw beauty and emotion, one that comes with both joy and sacrifice.