An absolute masterpiece---Eastwood gives a masterful piece of film making

Rating: 10/10 (12 March 2009)

Rumor has this being Clint Eastwood's last acting performance (please Mr. Eastwood don't do it!!) But if he did decide to retire from acting Gran Torino would have been the most brilliant and effective swan song he could have thought of. The man stars, directs, and sings in the film but that alone doesn't make it brilliant. The sheer power of the film is what makes it incredible. Gran Torino is this intense and amazing character study led by the absolutely mind blowing character of Walt Kowalski created, played by, embodied by Mr. Eastwood. The character is probably the most unlikable, growly, peculiar, twisted of Eastwood's characters and yet he comes full circle and has such a huge character arc and goes through so many changes. The real brilliance is that you know Kowalski has a history, and so much has happened to him that has grated on him and made him very bitter about the world around him. It isn't really about the races around him, or his rude demeanor towards youth, and different cultures but just about the things that have happened to him in his past. While you never really discover details you know the history is there drawing you into the story and this man's life.
Clint Eastwood is Hollywood royalty and I am biased because several years ago I became an instant adoring fan of Eastwood both as an actor and director. Still certainly you have to have a taste for his performances. Certain people can say that Eastwood is the same in every role but if you look closer you will see Eastwood has some definitive talent in really lighting up the screen. Eastwood's Kowalski will most definitely be remembered as being an amazing character with a great arc and he was robbed of getting no award nominations at the Oscars. Christopher Carley has a small role but pertinent and quite well done as the very young Father Janovich, who tries to reach out to Walt without much luck. Carley does very well opposite Eastwood in a small role. Ahney Her is brilliant as the feisty young Hmong neighbor Sue who is the first to really lock horns with Kowalski and win him over with her quick wit. She does a terrific job and should have gotten more notice for her part. Also brilliant and really a key to the film is Bee Vang who becomes Kowalski's partner, friend and misplaced student of sorts. The two of them, Eastwood and Vang, are just brilliant opposite each other. Vang's character goes through enormous changes throughout the film and the two of them really play off of each other.
The film's pace is not break neck by any means and yet you will find yourself completely enthralled! The film will shock you, make you laugh, cry, and be amazed all at once. It is funny to me that people don't find the film offensive, or at least that I've heard, considering the amount of racial language and crude comments are used but it seems to be acceptable in the context used in the film. Eastwood's flare for direction hasn't changed. He knows how to bring the most out of his characters and make the story feel so incredibly real. You owe yourself to see this beautifully made, incredibly captivating drama. It will leave you wide eyed and breathless and you won't be disappointed. 10/10