A wonderful script with a bunch of stiffs

Rating: 6/10 (17 April 2010)

I've said it many times, but now I risk putting it in writing: Clint Eastwood has been playing the same character for more than 40 years. He's not the best actor, but he's simply marvelous at picking movies where his lack of depth works. Unforgiven was divine, Million Dollar Baby was a masterpiece, but I'm still trying to make up my mind about Gran Torino. I spent much of the film appalled by the wooden acting of everyone (except Sue and Thao's very animated mother and grandmother, a couple of the gang members, and the black kids during one brief interlude), but the end made me forgive almost everything.
The movie was a great lesson in tolerance, understanding, forgiveness and the power of redemption. I thought some of it was ridiculous (such as the over-the-top insults between Mr. Eastwood's character, his barber, and his friend the builder), but all in all it progressed well and satisfied. I'll say again that the acting was pretty dreadful overall, and I'll repeat that the end made it worth watching. I could have been spared the reading of the will at the very end, and (*cringe*) Clint Eastwood singing over the closing credits was just wrong.
The plot was good, but the acting took a great deal away from it for me. Sorry. I know this was a well-received film, but I think some acting lessons for just about everyone would have prompted me to give it a higher rating. Watch it anyway. There's still much to redeem it. Thanks for reading.