Gran Torino (2008)

When I go into a movie I look for quality and to stay focused. If a movie doesn't have interesting characters, action, or setting I won't like it. This movie ranks very high in interesting characters and has a little bit of action.

Title: Gran Torino

Director: Clint Eastwood

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, and Christopher Carley

Rated: R

Released: 2008

Rating: 5/5

Basic Plot: Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) becomes friends with his neighbors after their son (Bee Vang) attempts to steal Walt's Gran Torino.

Good Slow, Bad Slow
I was taken away with 2001: A Space Odyssey and had my eyes glued to the screen the entire time. But, as you well know, that movie is the very definition of slow. I still consider it very entertaining, though. The Roommate (2011) was slow but I hated it. You see, there are two types of slow. One type that makes the movie enjoyable and the other that makes the movie a bore to sit through. Gran Torino is the good type of slow. What I mean by that is that it takes it time on the character development. If you're expecting a shoot 'em up type of movie, this isn't the film for you. Though there are some graphic scenes thrown in.

The Ending
At the end I was expecting Clint Eastwood to shoot the gang up. Instead he sacrifices himself so that Thao's family can live in peace without fear of the gang. However, there seems to be a more selfish motive for the action. Clint's character, Wilt, is dying of lung cancer and would look forward to a long life of pain if he had decided to live. That is why I think Wilt didn't have the purest of intentions.

Playing Off Of Each Other
I saw this film as a redemption of Wilt (Clint Eastwood) and the growth of Thao (Bee Vang). This was helped very much by the fact that the characters played off of each other and had good chemistry. If they didn't have good chemistry this movie would be less fun to watch.

Final Thoughts
This movie is a wonderful film. It's dirty and some parts will make you cringe (especially when Sue, played by Ahney Her, comes back after being raped). It isn't a film to show to your whole family but, if you like films, this is a must see. You get to learn about another culture and an insight into how war veterans look at things. There is also a little Christianity thrown in but it doesn't get really preachy, which is a good thing.