Gran Torino

Rating R Formats DVD Genre drama Starring Clint Eastwood, Brian Haley Directed by Clint Eastwood Publisher Warner Bros External Links

Gran Torino, one of two films released by Eastwood last year is a story of culture, race and gang mentality. It is profound and symbolic. Unfortunately, despite all the positives, the film doesn’t live up to Eastwood’s usual standards.

The film starts with Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) at his deceased wife’s funeral. During this scene as well as the one that follows at his home, he comes off as a gruff, old man who honestly wants nothing to do with his family. It is also here that Walt meets his wife’s priest who, upon his wife’s request, brings it upon himself to look after him. Being the cranky old man he is though, he doesn’t want anything to do with him.

During this time, an influx of Hmong immigrants move into his town. At first, they don’t like him and he doesn’t like them, especially after Thao (Bee Vang), one of the neighborhood boys attempts to steal his prized possession, a 1972 Gran Torino in order to be initiated into his cousin’s gang. However, after this gang assaults him and his family, Walt steps out Dirty Harry style with shotgun in hand to get them off his lawn.

Due to him saving their family, the neighbors flower Walt with gifts. Despite him not wanting anything to do with them though, Walt pulls to the side of the road and saves Sue (Ahney Her), Thao’s sister from being assaulted by African Americans. Once again, Sue and the rest of her family flower Walt with gifts and starts developing a friendship with them. The rest of the film plays out with Kowalski being the protector of the family.

As most Eastwood-directed films go, Gran Torino is very stylized. It is a very well-paced film coupled with excellent cinematography and music that was composed by Eastwood’s son, Kyle. Much like the majority of Eastwood’s films, outside of his westerns, the soundtrack compliments the film perfectly with vibrant low-key jazz.

The story is not a complicated one, but it manages to go beyond what simply meets the eye. Gran Torino has subtle symbolism being that of the Gran Torino itself. Not only is this Walt’s prized possession, but it encapsulates everything Walt is—a powerful, testosterone-filled old man with class.

You would think with all the elements slipped into place with an excellent story of important issues of culture, race and gangs, that Gran Torino could do no wrong.

While he grows on you, Eastwood is prototypical Eastwood. He is an aging and cranky bad ass with a good heart beneath his rough exterior. To be honest, his portrayal of Walt is more or less a caricature of his true self. This is not to say he isn’t entertaining, but at times comes off a little too laughable until he builds a bond with Thao, for which the basis of the story takes form.

Thao to repay his debt ends up working for Walt, and seeming as though Thao has no father figure, Walt becomes it for him. While not to say the film doesn’t bring out the character development in this relationship, it isn’t nearly as successful as it should be. The main reason being is that Bee Vang who plays Thao is not very good.

It doesn’t end there though. Almost all of the Asian actors in the film just aren’t very good. The portrayals seem wooden without much emotion at all. The only performance that seems genuine amongst the Asians in the film is by Ahney Her, who plays Thao’s sister. She exudes emotion and comes off believable in the olive branch she extends to Walt.

However, there are other principle actors in the film that includes Walt’s family members, his barber (John Carrol Lynch) and in particular Father Janovich (Christopher Carley) that come out strong. Janovich’s relationship to Walt’s character is vital in the film. He is insistent in helping him through such a tough time in his life, and he does it without excessive religious quotations that you would expect from such a character. Janovich essentially is Walt’s conscience which plays a vital role during the dissention between Walt and the neighborhood gang.

At the end of the day though, while all other aspects of the film are intact from cinematography, story, etc. this is one of few films I can recollect that the performances brought down the film’s production values so significantly. At times, the acting was embarrassing to watch, which is unfortunate because this could’ve been another great Eastwood film. Instead, it brings it down to a decent movie.