Couldn't wait (after being hospitalized) to see Clint back in action

Rating: 9/10 (2 March 2009)

There's really no one on Clint Eastwood's level in Hollywood. As I watched this film gently unfold I was reminded just how much authority this actor has with my generation. And he uses it both sparingly and well. Here he is the crusty old ex-soldier, seeing his neighborhood change ethnicity, feeling himself getting increasingly isolated amongst the 'gooks' and 'fishheads'. His own sons are no solace in his old age. They're only interest seems to be in divvying up his belongings when he's gone. Otherwise they're strangers to him though he realizes that's not entirely their fault. He never really knew how to do the father thing. He's got an excuse of sorts, he's still haunted by faces he saw in their death throes back in Korea. But then his distaste for injustice and gangs kicks in as one of his neighbors is put in danger. And things start to move toward what should have seemed an inevitable end, if we had been paying close attention.
Eastwood is masterfully effective in this little film. You really wouldn't want anyone but him either directing or starring in it. Everyone else involved more than pulls their weight, almost as if they realized they would probably never have another chance to join in creating a little masterpiece with one of the most indelibly brilliant stars of any era.