Another Gem Of Mr. Eastwoods

Rating: 9/10 (31 January 2009)

First of all, I never want to give information to get into the message boards, but I will say this regarding some questions and criticisms about the film. My girlfriend is African-American, and did laugh when Walt Kowaliski makes the racist slurs. Two, I am amazed that as far as what actor could have played the role other than Clint, no one has mentioned him, and this actor could have done it 8 years ago. This actor has since passed away, and his performance would have been controversial, but a great comeback for him. That actor is Charlton Heston.
Clint Eastwood gives one of his best performances ever. The Oscar snub is amazing. His performance as Walt Kowalski is I think is his greatest performance, and shows that at 78, he still has star charisma. Also the film is I believe a tribute once again to Don Siegal, the director of Dirty Harry, and Eastwoods mentor, and an ironic tribute to John Wayne. I will not give anything away, but people who see this film, with Don Siegal and John Wayne in mind might understand what I mean. It is also somewhat I think a reply of a letter that Wayne wrote to Eastwood some over thirty years ago, when Eastwood was interested in working with Waynce, but Wayne was not interested in working with Eastwood because of what he considered Eastwoods violent movies at the time.
Walt Kowaliski is a man who criticizes his priest for not really knowing about life and death. Yet, as has been mentioned, maybe Walt does not know about life, but only death. He appears to be haunted by his involvement in the Korean War, and the death of his own comrades in this war, and the death of Asians. His racism against Asians is perhaps his way of dealing with what he saw, shielding himself from his past. With the Hmong family that moves next door, who he at first despises, but later has a friendship with, he is able to learn to live, after the death of his wife, and embrace life for what it can offer. With his friendship with the the son and daughter that develops, he is able to come to terms with his Korean War experience, and find forgiveness for his own piece of mind (Certainly a tie-in to Eastwoods UNFORGIVEN).
The climax of the film is somewhat of a surprise, and reminds me of the climax of an an Italian Western that Eastwood was reported to have been interested in remaking in the 70's, but did not do.
In all, the film is a touching story of a relationship that develops, and how that relationship between a young boy, and an older man, and how both, especially Walt Kowalski who gains in wisdom, can grow. Fortunately, Clint Eastwoods performance has been awarded by some Society of Film Critics. The Oscar snub that has been mentioned for this film, will in the future I believe looked upon as a mystery by future film critics, along with other snubs that the Oscars are famous for.