not realistic

Rating: 6/10 (4 January 2010)

All Clint Eastwood directed movies are watchable as there's always a poignant story to tell that ambles along in its own time, this movie is no exception. However, unlike his earlier work, I found it very unrealistic that Walt would effectively give up his life for Thao. In the space of a few scenes, we're meant to believe that this crusty, inflexible, set in his ways, racist etc old man who has hated Asians and their ilk for generations now would fall over for them, I don't buy it even if he hates his family and is dying himself. Men like that always go to their grave bitter and angry. But as Clint was acting in his own movie, he can do what he wants I guess. Similarily, when confronting gang bangers in earlier scenes, again why would they just stand aside and let him do whatever he wants, maybe Clint was yearning to be "harry" one last time, very noble but sadly unrealistic and that detracts from the movie for me. Otherwise, its a decent story about modern America although, at times it seemed like a documentary about the Hmong people with sue explaining their culture, why they are in the US etc! Clint Eastwood is an amazing actor and director but I think his ego got in the way of this film.