Gran Torino

Rating: 7/10 (16 September 2010)

I really liked the film Gran Torino. Clint Eastwood does an outstanding job in his portrayal of Walt Kowalski. Kowaslski is a Korean War vet and retired auto worker who has maintained the gritty nature from both environments. Eastwood who also directed the film does a good job of pulling in emotional effect by maintaining Kowalski's grit and hardcore exterior while changing the hardness of his heart. Kowalski takes interest in his Asian neighbor Thao and his family. Kowalski serves as the male figure that Thao has needed in his life. In doing this, Kowalski struggles with the social problems encountered by Thao and his sister, especially from an Asian gang.
Kowalski kind of reminded me of my father who was also a war vet and worked over 40 years in the steel industry; he possessed a hard exterior, but deep down inside he had a soft spot for people. The way that Kowalski embraced not only the cultural difference, but age difference as well showed that he had a coming of age so to speak. This film showed how Kowalski lost his wife, but gained the love and respect of Thao and his family. His strength and character were also shown in a very good way.
The production was good as well. The use of different forms of lighting as well as the camera focus added to the quality of the film. Gran Torino is a quality film that I would watch again.