Great film

Rating: 8/10 (5 September 2013)

For me, only the prevalence of violence prevents this film gaining an even greater rating. It's one of Clint Eastwood's best roles, but the script is the real star, with most lines zinging off the page. While Walt (Eastwood) is, on the surface, an unattractive character - crotchety, mean, selfish, set in his ways -- gradually you come to understand him, and even love him. He has many good qualities, such as loyalty to his friends, honesty, and willingness to stand up for others and for justice. Underneath his biting wit is harsh experience, hurt and cynicism but also, eventually, a fierce affection for his new Asian neighbours. The film makers take a risk in running many lines about race, although it does highlight the many conflicted tensions of Walt's neighbourhood. And it demonstrates Walt's petty prejudices, despite being from a migrant background himself. I laughed and laughed at many of the lines but then at the end I cried fat tears. The ending was excessively violent but a startling concept, and not out of the realms of possibility, given Walt's extreme character traits. The actor Ahney Her, playing Walt's Hmong neighbour Sue, gives an outstanding performance - full of firey challenges to Walt's racist rants, ignorance, bullsh-t and bravado, even though she is much younger than him. It evolves into a combative but strong affection between them, as she realises there is a heart behind Walt's bitter and tough exterior.