Gran Torino (Blu-ray Disc, 2009, 2-Disc Set)

A must see movie...Clint Eastwood has hinted that his role as bigoted Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski — a gun-toting widower living in Detroit near the struggling Ford auto plant and even nearer to the Asian immigrants crowding him out of his run-down, racially mixed hood — may be his last role as an actor. Eastwood, 78, has two Oscars for directing Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby, and two nominations for starring in them. But an Oscar for acting? Not yet. Get busy, Academy.

I don't think Eastwood will ever turn down a juicy role. But Gran Torino, named after the 1972 car that Walt garages and polishes like a symbol of his idealized past, is a humdinger of a valedictory. Directed by Eastwood from a script by newcomer Nick Schenk, Gran Torino is Eastwood's hell-raising salute to every hardass he's ever played. Cranky Walt often communicates in a growl that sounds like a demon in need of an exorcist (wait till you hear Eastwood rasp a few bars of the film's memorable title song). Walt squints at the Hmong family next door, especially Thao (Bee Vang), a teen with a rustler's eye on the Torino. Thao's smart-mouth sister, Sue (the wonderful Ahney Her), can defrost Walt with a beer and food that isn't his usual beef jerky, but only Walt's dog, Daisy, dares to get too close. Cocking his rifle when gangbangers intrude on his territory, Walt snarls, "Get. Off. My. Lawn." Terrific stuff. And it gets better when Walt confronts some hoods playing grabass with Sue: "Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while that you shouldn't have messed with? That's me."

And that "me" isn't just Walt. It's the Man With No Name taking aim in those spaghetti Westerns. It's Dirty Harry Callahan asking, "Do you feel lucky, punk?" It's William Munny, from Unforgiven, digging deep to note, "It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. You take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have." It's even Frankie Dunn, the fight manager from Million Dollar Baby, who knows "tough ain't enough."

Tough has never been enough for Eastwood. It's a credit to the film's twist ending that Walt exorcises his demons without easy violence or bogus redemption. A lifetime in movies runs through this prime vintage Eastwood performance. You can't take your eyes off him. The no-frills, no-bull Gran Torino made my day.

Actor/Director Clint Eastwood (Forgiveness (1992) and Million Dollar Baby (2004) plus many more) gives an outstanding performance and once again proves his directing skills in this movie about an old Korean War Veteran who is full of hate toward everyone in his life.

Following the death of his wife, Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) is alone and full of disgust for everyone in his life, especially those whom he feels have taken over his neighborhood. He remembers back on days gone by when he knew everyone around him. Now he looks around and sees only foreigners who have taken over his life.

Following a number of incidents, one involving his neighbor, a Hmong teenage boy, and his Gran Torino, Walt (Eastwood) embarks on a journey of self discovery, he is befriended by the boys sister and Walt discovers there is more to life than hate and bitterness.

The story flows from the beginning as we get to know the characters and leads to a surprisingly touching ending where Walt (Eastwood) shows his true spirit.

This movie deals with intolerance, racism and ignorance of others and shows that even the most hate filled individual can be won over with love and kindness.

I recommend that you watch this movie and perhaps you will walk away with a different view of life.

Rated 5 of 5 stars for a movie that should be seen by everyone and will be enjoyed by all who see it.

Gran Torino is NOT the typical Dirty Harry Movie . This is another version of Dirty Harry .

Walt ( clint Easwood ) is a Korean War Vet . He is retired . All he wants in his life is sit on his porch , drink beer , smoke his dog and he doesn't want anyone on his lawn .One of his favorite dialog " get off my Lawn" . He doesn't want to mess around or mingle with people. He hates the new generation . One incident changes his life "Gran Torino" .

Every one is behind his classic car 1972 made Gran Torino. Gran Torino is one reason , he gets close to next door Asian neighbors. Then the movie goes on with all the emotions , relationship up's and down .




Good Points about the movie

1. This movie has Drama , Comedy , Action ( not much of action )

2. Clint Eastwood dialogs in the movie relate to the Dirty Harry version like "I will blow a hole in your face and then sleep like a baby .

3. This movie is named Gran Torino as everybody who comes in his life wants the Gran Torino . Because of Gran Torino , he made new friends from next door neighbors.

4. This is about a guy you don't want to mess with . this reminds me of Dirty Harry version.

5. In this movie , Clint Eastwood has grown old and the world has changed for him . the movie shows how a old man ( retired war vet) tries to adjust in today's world .

6. Brilliant performance by Clint Eastwood. Terrific Characterization . This should be considered as one of the classic movies of Clint Eastwood .

7. It is a movie which shows relationship with different ages/races .

8. Even at the age of 79 , Action hero has given a terrific performance . Even when there are no action sequence in the movie. Great Actor .

9 . Favorite dialog : Get off my Lawn

A MUST SEE MOVIE BY CLINT EASTWOOD.

The first time we see Walt Kowalski, Clint Eastwood's character in Gran Torino, he looks like he's about to explode -- literally -- as in spontaneously combust. Standing at his wife's funeral and growling to himself as his family files in, he looks as if he could go nuclear at any given second, like he might take off sprinting through the pews, snapping as many necks as possible in a grim attempt to ensure that his recently deceased wife isn't lonely in the afterlife. The impression that his character makes is direct and unmistakable, and the whispered conversation that takes place between his two sons as they ponder what will become of the rancorous war veteran ensures that we know exactly where he's at in life before the end of the first scene. It's plain to see that Walt has precious little tolerance for foolishness, and now that he's alone, there's no buffer between his bitterness and the outside world.

He plays Walt Kowalski a recently widowed ex-Vietnam veteran who harbours slight racism and bitterness which isn't helped by the changing world he now lives in alone. He has relatives but they only seem to call when they want something and his grandkids have already started deciding what they will have of his when he dies. He has a few mates he drinks with in the pub but other than that his neighbourhood is being overrun by immigrants and gang warfare. Walt's next door neighbours are a Hmong family with no father figure and after the son tries to steal his prize car, the 'Grand Torino', Walt decides to try and reform the boy and hopefully as time passes learn about their culture and change his mind before he dies.