Gran Torino Movie Review

February 7, 2009

Thanks to Azrael and to Warner Bros. Philippines, I got a chance to be part of the advanced screening of Gran Torino.

Clint Eastwood is back as Walt Kowalski, a Korean War veteran carrying lots of emotional baggages and guilt in his heart. He’s a recluse. Obnoxious. And definitely racist. He’s the typical Dirty Harry who can pull the trigger at the slightest provocation.

His wife, who’s probably the only “right” thing in his life, (well, the next one would the Gran Torino, of course) died at the beginning of the movie. He lives alone at his neighborhood because his Asian neighbors did not have the sense to remain where they are. Along came a Hmong boy, pressed by a gang, who tried to steal his uber gorgeous Gran Torino!

Then he met Sue and the rest of her family in the neighborhood. Come to think of it, the contrast was just too striking! Kowalski was a lonely old man. Lonely in the traditional American way. Just next door, his neighbors who spoke some weird Asian language gathered a lot of times! And family members cared for their elderly. What a contrast indeed!

Thao, at the instigation of his sister Sue and his mom, too, began working for Kowalski to atone for his attempt to steal the Gran Torino. He did not only atone for his attempt, he also found a role model and a father figure who would go to great lengths to teach him and initiate him in the ways of men. In the end, Thao became the redemption of Kowalski. He willingly laid down his life so the gang members who hurt Sue and Thao could be arrested by the police.

Great Points!

The plot of the movie was great! I kinda predicted what Kowalski would do at the end because he started buying a coat, got a haircut and planned and calculated his moves well. He even went to confession! Apparently, Dirty Harry (Walt Kowalski, that is) is no longer dirty. The bejesus inside him finally won and armed with his cigarette and the lighter he’s had since 1951, he attacked the gang’s stronghold.

The peak of the story was so powerful it almost made me cry.

The movie also presented how racism was tempered by the relationships formed by Kowalski with Sue, Thao, and even with Yum Yum! It was great to see how racial barriers could be eliminated.

This movie’s got humor! At first I thought it was going to be drama. Well, it was. But it was more than that! Kowalski became more amiable and likable enough towards the end of the movie. His quips and one liners were superbly delivered and elicited loud laughs!

Bad Points

The movie, decidedly, was about Clint Eastwood and the character he portrayed. That also meant, his character overshadowed the rest of the cast. The acting of all the others in the story were not up to standards and they could make use of additional acting workshops. (That’s rather harsh, I know.)

On the Whole

Gran Torino is a great redemption story replete with kind words and great deeds. It is a coming of age story–not only for Thao, but more so for Walt Kowalski as he wrestles with the demons of his past. Through the course of Kowalski’s relationship with Thao, he discovers to let go and love someone as son, as daughter… as family–something, which he has not learned to do with his own immediate family.

If you ask me, I’ll tell you to watch it! It’ll be worth your money and your time! Now off to look for the Facebook of Yum Yum and add her as my friend. LOL.