It's currently 5:09am on a Sunday morning so I apologise in
advance if this post makes little sense, but having laid awake in bed for the
last hour I decided to admit defeat and just get up...which is when I came
across the following facebook comment from my sister-in-law:
Jude
Just watched True Grit and it occurred to me that I've never
seen a movie starring Clint Eastwood. Any suggestions?
After picking my jaw back off the floor I read the other
suggestions, which can only be described as the usual suspects ("The Good,
The Bad and The Ugly", "Unforgiven", "Dirty Harry")
Personally, I can think of no better film to recommend than "Gran Torino".
(may contain spoilers)
Actior/Director legend Eastwood plays a Korean war veteran,
Walt Kowalski, who can only be described as a racist, bitter and disgruntled
old man. Since the death of his wife, Walt wants nothing more than to be left
alone with his dog to sit on his front porch, drinking a few beers and waiting
to die and bring as much inconvenience as possible to his thankless children
and grandchildren.
When a Hmong family move in next door he thinks the
neighbourhood is going to hell and the unrelenting visits from Father Janovich
(Christopher Carley) only seem to prove it. The final straw comes when teenage
neighbour Thao (Bee Vang), under pressure from a gang, attempts to steal his
prized, mint condition, 1972 Gran
Torino. Kowalski takes action and decides to teach the kid some responsibility
and inadvertently takes him under his wing, soon becoming the families
father-figure and protector.
If Clint Eastwood alone isn't enough to sell you on this
film there are some beautiful performances from the supporting cast,
particularly Bee Vang. The scenes between Eastwood and his neighbours are both
touching and, at times, humorous, and I especially love the interplay between
Eastwood and the grandma character. However, it's the ending that, for me, just cements this film
as one to watch, being both clever and completely filled with pathos.
I can't bring myself to ruin the end for you all, but all I
will say is that his dog makes me cry every time!
UK rating: 15
Year of release: 2008
Genre: Drama
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Christopher Carley, Bee Vang
Rating: 4.5/5
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