Clint Eastwood's performance as the quintessential bitter, old, Korean War vet Walt Kowalski, makes Gran Torino one of the best films of the year. Although Walt Kowalski could be considered a bigot, he is so old and set in his ways that it almost becomes acceptable. Some of the things that came out of this man's mouth were absolutely hilarious.
Clint Eastwood's character seemed very real to me because Walt's values and beliefs seemed very similar to many of the senior citizens I have spent time with in my life. I find a lot of humor in some of the things that Walt says despite the fact that it could be offensive to certain people. When you see this old man, you understand that he grew up in a completely different time, with completely different values, and he is not going to change. Even when he begins to make friends with the Asian neighbors, the slurs do not stop. It's almost as if Walt is so old that he has earned his right to say whatever he wants and he had me cracking up in this film.
Walt has just become a widower as the film begins at his wife's funeral. You can tell that Walt isn't very close to his children or his grandchildren. His bitter attitude leads his children to treat Walt with little respect, as though he is someone that they have to put up with. There is a very funny scene that takes place on Walt's birthday, in which his son and daughter in law give him some brochures for retirement homes, and suggest that he sells his house, so on his birthday Walt kicks them out immediately. Walt is in great shape and it really doesn't seem as though he needs anyone to take care of him. It really seems as though his family really doesn't appreciate him and since his wife has died I think Walt is becoming very lonely.
As a Korean War vet Walt is a real old fashioned man's man. He has his lawn, his tools, his guns, his beer, and his 72 Gran Torino. When the Asian teenager who lives next door, Thao, is pressured by his gang member cousin to steal Walt's Gran Torino and fails the plot truly begins. Thao seems to be a good kid who doesn't really want to be a part the gang. When the gang returns to talk to Thao, his struggle lead to the infamous "Get off my lawn". That was a great line in the movie and some say it is the next "Make my day".
In order to apologize, and make it up to Walt for trying to steal his car, Thao offers to work for Walt for a week or so, and help him out around the house. Over the next few days Walt begins to form a bond with Thao and his sister Sue. He begins to become like a mentor to Thao and even helps him get a job in construction. Despite Walt's obvious prejudices he forms a closer relationship with Thao and Sue than he has with his own family. After a few violent incidents involving the gang Walt realizes he needs to take action in order to make sure that Thao and Sue can be safe.
Christopher Carley delivered a great performance as Father Janovich, a priest who promised Walt's wife that he would look after Walt after she died. He was a very important character and I think Carley did a great job. I also really enjoyed the scenes with Walt's Barber played by John Carroll Lynch. I thought Lynch was very funny and he worked really well with Clint Eastwood.
Walt Kowalski is my favorite character of 2008. Of course I have not seen everything, but Walt is badass making Clint Eastwood's performance was marvelous. I think he should definitely be nominated for a best actor academy award. Clint Eastwood is also becoming one of my favorite directors. I didn't get to see Changeling but with Unforgiven, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, and Gran Torino, just to name a few, Clint Eastwood is, in my opinion, one of the best directors of all time.
The only negative thing that I found in this film was the performance by Bee Vang. Bee Vang played Thao and wasn't horrible but there were definitely a couple of scenes that I just didn't find his performance believable. Besides that I absolutely loved Gran Torino. One of the best films of 2008 for sure. So, if it sounds like your choice of brew, check it out.
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