Gran Torino Movie Review

Rating: Null/10 (18 September 2011)

Gran Torino is a simple story of a man, his pride, the neighborhood he has lived in for years, and his prized mint condition 1972 Gran Torino. Clint Eastwood portrays Korean War Veteran Walt Kowlaski, a very unhappy, grumpy, and bull headed man who can't seem to get along with his neighbors or his own kids. Walt is a very traditional man who wants doesn't seem to like his unappreciated kids and grandkids. His granddaughter Ashley shows little interest into him, only for the fact that she is turning 16 and hoping that she can get his Gran Torino as a gift. While she doesn't do anything to warrant the Gran Torino she hopes that being "Grandpa's Little Girl" will play out. That is before Walt is introduced to Thao.
The theme of this movie is overcoming diversity and opening your heart and mind to different cultures and friendships. This is present as Walt befriends his neighbor kid Thao, after Thao tries to steal his Gran Torino after a failed gang initiation. Thao ends up getting into a fight with his cousin who is a gang member, the fight spills over to Walt's lawn, who comes out with an M1 Garand and tells them to get off his lawn. Walt is surprised at the neighbor's reaction to his "heroics" for driving the gang out of the neighborhood. This starts Walt and him opening up to the culture that he brutally attacked in the Korean War. He takes Thao under his wings, gets him a construction job, and has him fix things around the neighborhood. While he is teaching, Thao to be an upstanding, loyal man he still has to fight off the gang, which ultimately proves to be the end of Walt.
Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino" is yet another Eastwood masterpiece that has a feeling and signature that stand out from his "Dirty Harry" days. Clint's ability to tell a story about a friendship between an old man and young Korean kid is spellbinding and heartwarming. This movie uses simple camera movements and subtle colors to portray a calm and steady movie. While there are a lot of intense scenes the color and calmness of Walt make the movie run smoothly and doesn't make the movie seem like it's moving too fast or intense.
This movie is great for any Clint Eastwood fan, who wants to see a "Dirty Harry" type of character. This is not a family movie that should be shown to kids or those who don't like obscene and crude language.