I was not inspired to go and see Gran Torino from the trailers but decided to give it a go as although I have not seen many Clint Eastwood films I have enjoyed those that I have seen.
Gran Torino follows Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) just after his wife has died. He continues to live in his neighbourhood even though it is changing around him that now includes people from all cultural backgrounds. Walt is a Korean War veteran and not the happiest of people, misunderstood by his family, he has never been close to his two sons and seems a bit of a loner. Walt doesn’t mince his word’s and loves every racist term he can get his hands on.
Thao, a Hmong teenager who lives next door, tries to steel Walt’s 1972 Gran Torino as an initiation task to join a gang. Walt finds out that Thao doesn’t want the life in a gang but there is little chance he will avoid it as it’s what tends to happen in his culture. Sue (Thao’s sister) draws Walt into their family and Walt sets out to try and help Thao stay on the straight and narrow. Walt finds he has more in common with Thao’s family than he first thought and offers the family his wisdom, guidance and protection from the gang.
Yes, some of the acting isn’t the best but I enjoyed Clint in a surprisingly humorous role but that also had real depth, I found Walt a really interesting character. I won’t spoil the ending but we find out what actually matters to Walt. Not perfect, but definitely worth a watch.
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