Gran Torino

I don't go out to the movies much anymore. What was once an affordable family pasttime has turned pretty expensive and people are often loud and rude in the theater. Much easier to just get the DVD and watch it in the comfort of your own home. If the movie sucks, well at least you haven't lost much - a couple of bucks.

So it's really refreshing to find a film that's worth every penny and more to see on the big screen; a film whose story lingers with you for days afterward. Such is the film 'Gran Torino', masterfully directed and starred in by Clint Eastwood.

Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is an old retired autoworker and Korean War veteran, who has watched his neighborhood change around him. The homes once occupied by dozens of working-class families are now home to Hmong people. To Walt; a hard, difficult, and racist man to say the least they are just 'gooks' and 'zipperheads'. Walt has nothing left, the movie opens with his wife's funeral. His children are all grown and have no time for him. He views his grandchildren - shallow and piercing-laden with distaste. He is still haunted by the war and has withdrawn, viewing the changed world around him with a barely tolerant scorn.

Meanwhile a drama is unfolding in the neighborhood; a young Hmong boy named Thao (played by Bee Vang, who has never before been on film) is being pressured and bullied to join a gang. Thao, who has no male role model in his life and is a shy, timid kid lives next door to Walt. For his initiation he is to steal Walt's prize possession, a beautiful '72 Gran Torino Sport. He fails miserably at this attempt, Walt scares him off.

Later, the gang attempts to drag Thao from his own porch. A fight ensues and spills over into Walt's yard. Walt comes out with his trusty M1 rifle and warns away the gang members setting into action a chain of events which is by turns gripping, tragic, and remarkable.

This is not an action flick. From the trailer shown on TV one can easily get the impression that it's like Death Wish, regular joe vs. the criminals. But there's far more to it, the action sequences are to further and facilitate the story, not the story itself. And the story is nothing less than magic.

Walt becomes a hero in the Hmong neighborhood, a status he doesn't want in the slightest. With the help of Thao's sister Sue (a very likeable character played by Ahney Her) Walt gets to know something of his Hmong neighbors and he slowly and gradually softens. Sue sees that Walt could be a role model for Thao, which will give him some self-esteem and perhaps keep him away from the gang. The interaction between Walt, Thao and Sue is great to watch, and damned funny at times. The transformation of Walt and Thao is engaging.

But the gang is never far off, and a showdown is inevitable. But it won't be the showdown you expect...

Although it seems a simple plot there really is too much going on in the film to type here. Eastwood has once again surprised me. Just as I thought this was more or less an action movie, when Million Dollar Baby came out I was like 'Pffft...a boxing movie'. But that film was incredible too, not really a 'boxing' story so much as a human story.

You can see an extended trailer and read more about the film and cast at http://www.thegrantorino.com/

I can't imagine anyone seeing this film and coming away disappointed.