Gran Torino

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Starring:Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Christopher Carley

Synopsis:

Retired auto worker Walt Kowalski fills his days with home repair, beer and monthly trips to the barber. The people he once called his neighbors have all moved or passed away, replaced by Hmong immigrants, from Southeast Asia, he despises. Resentful of virtually everything he sees--Walt is just waiting out the rest of his life. Until the night someone tries to steal his `72 Gran Torino. The Gran Torino brings his shy teenaged neighbor Thao into his life when Hmong gangbangers pressure the boy into trying to steal it. But Walt stands in the way of both the heist and the gang, making him the reluctant hero of the neighborhood--especially to Thao's mother and older sister, Sue, who insist that Thao work for Walt as a way to make amends. Though he initially wants nothing to do with these people, Walt eventually gives in and puts the boy to work fixing up the neighborhood, setting into motion an unlikely friendship that will change both their lives. (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Review:

With the knowledge that the role of Walt Kowalski could be the last we see of Clint Eastwood onscreen, this movie is given extra gravitas that elevates it above its ordinary and familiar premise. Clint’s performance, and the subtext in the movie, also raises the interest for a movie audience that has seen Clint in similar roles over the years but none quite so quietly complex.

Eastwood stars and directs Gran Torino, from a fine screenplay by new boy Nick Schenk. The screenplay captures the magic that Clint can bring to the screen both behind and in front of the camera. It is no surprise that over eager movie review web sites touted this movie as being Dirty Harry 6. I’m glad it wasn’t, as it references more than just that series of movies. In fact, if this was Eastwood’s swan song then he couldn’t have wished for a better symbol of his career. His portrayal of Kowalski is deep, moving, and macho. Whilst we might react a little to Kowalski’s bigoted comments in this Politically Correct era (Politically correct for good reason when it comes to Kowalski’s racial comments), the character has a huge heart that is buried deep, but shows in his self-less, “old-fashioned” ideals.

It’s through these ideals that trouble finally comes his way. By taking on board the most unlikely of families, Kowalski sets events in motion that will eventually lead to his end. Similar to the departure (accidental but still poignant) of Q in the Bond series, Walt Kowalski’s demise signifies where Clint is with regard to his past iconic roles. Throughout the movie’s running time we are treated to the attitudes that made us love his past roles; with shades of Harry Callaghan, Joe/Monco/Blondie, and William Munny. Eastwood growls his way through the movie. His senior status makes us forgive his less admirable qualities and it is through his actions that the character is ultimately judged. Gran Torino’s thread has an underlying sense of honor and what it means to a person; from a basic right or wrong structure with a deeper, almost Bushido warrior code that Kowalksi operates under. The length of time that this man has been tortured by his stint in the Korean War and the loss of his wife dictate his actions also.

The other main subtext is that of age, change and its effects. The parallel of the story involves Kowalski’s care of his Gran Torino, a symbol of a different America, and the location where he resides; a run down Detroit, where the White American is becoming a thing of the past. Kowalski is too stubborn to move like his fellow Caucasian neighbours (who have decided that the neighbourhood is no longer their own, from a possibly unenlightened perspective) and watches the change in his neighbourhood with a grimace.

Kowalski sees his Hmong neighbours as the “gooks” and “chinks” that he fought in the Korean War instead of the refugees from a harsh regime that punished the people that supported the US in the Vietnam War. Kowalski eventually defines himself to the viewer through his relationship with Thao Vang Lor (Bee Vang). After Thao’s abortive attempt to steal the much prized Gran Torino of the movie title, Kowalski decides to take up the Vang Lor family’s request that Thao payback the misdemeanour by becoming Kowalski’s home helper. Thao had tried to steal the car after peer pressure and the promise of it leading to membership of the local gang. This gang taunted Thao, grooming him to become part of their gang. Shy Thao would rather develop his Academic studies rather than cultivate gang membership. Kowalksi sets about to make Thao, or “Toad” as he calls him, into a “real man” and through this relationship, comes to love his neighbours more than his money-grabbing, self absorbed family.Through this Kowalski becomes the family protector as he rescues Thao’s sister Sue (Ahney Her) from an unsavoury bunch;

“Ever notice how you come across somebody, once in a while, that you shouldn’t have messed with? That’s me”

Walt manages to throw his weight around and help for the most part but makes the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that Thao can live the life he wants without it descending into a life of crime and pointlessness.

I wasn’t expecting the ending that is revealed despite, deep down, knowing it was inevitable. Some part of me still clung to the belief that “This is Clint Eastwood!” but this movie reminded me, as Kowalski hit the pavement, that this was not a Harry Callahan melodrama where everything was neatly taken care of in the end; crime excised from the community by the surgical precision of a .44 Magnum. Real life is not like that, and Gran Torino reflects that with a harsh lesson in cause and effect.

Eastwood plays the part through gritted teeth, whilst referencing older roles, as highlighted above. The supporting cast do an admirable job of portraying Walt’s surrogate and real family. The cinematography is perfect. The score by Kyle Eastwood fits the film very well. Whilst not a perfect film, this viewer finds it hard pressed to find a more thoughtful, contemplative movie that can appeal to action movie fans whilst addressing real world issues amongst the superficial noisy blockbusters out now. Maybe I’m showing my age? Naaaaaah!

Summary

If you’re a Clint Eastwood fan, Gran Torino is a “must watch”. For anyone else that likes a straightforward, straight talking drama that doesn’t shove the message down your throat, but is there for you to find, then this film will reward.

8/10

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