Clint's final role is unmissable

Rating: 7/10 (18 March 2009)

Said to be Clint's final curtain in terms of acting - and also highlighting his talent and versatility yet again by a dual director capacity; Gran Torino has it's work cut out to live up to the pressures and expectation that come about when ever a man actively described as a 'living legend' decides to make a piece of cinema. Fittingly, for his last acting performance, he quite literally steals the spotlight from everyone else on screen. He emits such a strong and endearing presence, that the others are almost perhiperal - however this can in some way be attributed to his decision to recruit authentic ethnic actors and actresses to certain roles. Now, while I admire such a bold and realistic approach - the end result is a little hit and miss in places, with the obvious lack of acting experience shining through on occasion. This is one of very few problems, the other most prominent one being that certain concepts and ideas are conveyed so heavy handily that they lose there intended impact - the start of the film is where this is the most apparent. However, Clint's performance alone excuses these minor gripes; I yet again find myself complimenting his tour de force as a dis-enchanted cantankerous War Vet. It really is something special to behold. The plot grips, and turns down avenues that you would not ever expect, and the dialogue is sheer brilliance. Gran Torino is by and large hugely entertaining, and will genuinely keep you gripped throughout. Nothing more needs to be said about Clint's sublime role, which eclipses all others in its wake. A solid film that will hit all the right notes with fans and non-fans alike - only a lack of polish in a few places lets this down, and denys it truly great status.