Gran Torino 2008 by AverageMansReviews

Gran Torino 2008 by AverageMansReviews

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/racism/shooting/sexual assault/kamikaze/medical/reference to cancer

We meet: briefly; Walt Kowalski [Director of this movie: Clint Eastwood:] unfortunately he and the rest of his moneygrubbing family are saying goodbye to his wife, for Walt himself he is Korean War veteran and is a very contankerous, prejudiced old man with his dog, so from his perspective when some foreign people moving next door he is hardly happy about it: especially when one of them tries to steal his Gran Torino. Thao Vang Lor [Bee Vang:] he is the individual that tries to steal the Gran Torino, but is sent by his family to pay off his wrongdoing debt and this is where we meet his older sister; Sue Lor [Ahney Her:] she had a strong willed individual, but Walt even if he doesn't want to gets integrated into this family/community.

Generally speaking: the framework and pacing of this 116 minute film is good; it settles down instantaneously and goes from there with a good pacing

Character developments, performance, art, comedy and action; Walt/Clint: the vast majority of this film comes from him being the maestro on-screen as well as behind the camera obviously, this man is quite a bleak individual that takes solace from drinking beers on his porch with his dog and being left alone: so with this kind of on-screen presence he does create this term and atmosphere around himself, which Clint pulled off with great ease and comfort, the tone of this film with or without Clint is well the tone is set on realistically dark as in it has a sense of realism and reality with a dark tone as they all want to live their lives in peace; but they have to deal with this gang element consistently and for the comedy I really can't make references to vast majority of it, because even I haven't heard some of these references in decades and they are the old, old fashion references to racism, even though now and again it is delivered in a comical manner from Walt/Clint: I mean if you've ever wanted a bit of fun, which I hasten to add I am not condoning racism or/and prejudiced wording or behaviour or actions, but if you have any children under the age of 22 years old and you want to see how long they would last listening to proper old-fashioned racism without going into shock, then try this film. Off the top of my head there is one company reference I can use because I am safe to do so; Walt is celebrating his birthday and his children suggest going into an old person's home which Walt gives a very stern and angry look to imply I will keep this clean even though he is clearly implying something much worse "That isn't happening over my dead body" so we see his children quickly leaving the house and for the action we have the mighty powerful finger gun that can we change things.

Character developments and performances; now minus what I have already said broadly speaking the cast of character developments and performances are all good, but now I can focus on; Walt/Clint is extremely supported by the following; Thao/Bee, Her/Sue, Chee Thao as Grandma: of this family/community that to begin with doesn't think too highly of Walt/Clint, Christopher Carley as Father Janovich: he promised  Walt's wife to look out for him regardless if you want it or not and John Carroll Lynch as Barber Martin: he owns his own self named barbershop and he has been Walt's Barbar for years: I think they can see the good in Walt: he is just stuck in the old ways on every single level and on a quick side note we have the son of Clint in this film as well: his name is Scott Eastwood, but he is credited as Scott Reeves as Trey: he is Sue's date.

This film receives: 8/10, this film is excellent; after everything is said and done and on reflection I have decided to award another mark, it is well worth a watch if you haven't seen it already, there is an extra scene happening underneath the closing credits and this film has some awards accredited to its name: 21 Winners which includes but not limited to ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards 2009  ASCAP Award Top Box Office Films Kyle Eastwood [another son of Clint's] Michael Stevens, César Awards, France 2010 César Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger) Clint Eastwood USA and National Board of Review, USA 2008  NBR Award Best Actor Clint Eastwood. 23 Nominees which also include but not limited to Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA 2009 Saturn Award Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film, Critics Choice Awards 2009 Critics Choice Award Best Actor Clint Eastwood and Art Directors Guild 2009 Excellence in Production Design Award Contemporary Film James J. Murakami (production designer) John Warnke (art director) Gary Fettis (set decorator)