Gran Torino

Clint Eastwood has become my favorite director, a place long held by Michael Mann. Sure, there are others I worship like Terrence Malick, Woody Allen and Scorcese, but up until recently Michael Mann was the dude for me. With Clint's latest effort, "Gran Torino", however, the 78 year old Icon has moved into the top spot for certain.

First off, let me just say that Gran Torino is NOT a perfect movie. It's peppered with a little too much "explanation dialogue" which can be an annoying cinematic device, it uses a few too many cliched lines in terms of the main character's (Clint) interaction with others and it's not the most powerful script I have ever seen laid out on screen. However, the sum total of it's parts is simply stunning, in a very understated way.

The basic plot of the film revolves around Clint Eastwood's "Walt Kowalsky", a recently widowed, racist Korean war vet that is a stubborn old codger with no use for political correctness, tact or basic compassion. He's living in the midst of a heavily populated "Hmong" neighborhood in Michigan and has no reservations about letting those folks know how he feels about them. Although the film moves in a fairly formulaic fashion at times and Eastwood blends parts of past characters like Dirty Harry and Josey Wales, it never feels recycled or stale. The story moves through some believable and traumatic occurrences smoothly and engagingly. For me, the film didn't succeed so well, however, based solely on the story alone, it was something simpler than that.

What makes Gran Torino so intriguing and beautiful to watch is the building relationship between Hank's neighbor "Thao", as well as his sister, especially in scenes where Eastwood is more rigid and confrontational. There's a humor that permeates the film throughout which could only be accomplished by Eastwoods demeanor AND the reactions, or lack thereof, of these Asian actors. I have heard some bemoan the "weak acting" by the kid who played Thao, and while he may not be DeNiro, I think his subtlety and lack of acting chops made him more engaging and fun to watch; if they had put a heavy hitting, known actor in that part in might not have worked so beautifully. The other aspect of Gran Torino that's so rewarding, entwined within the great humor, is it's honesty.

People in America, and undoubtedly other parts of the world, are so befuddled, perplexed and frightened by things they feel are "racist" that no one knows what to feel, think, say or act like in situations where there are mixed races anymore. One would hope that the nature of words spoken and language used would always be sensitive to historical and social mores, but in many ways it's gotten out of control. When I was growing up I had a number of pals that were of varying races and colors who had little reservation about "busting balls" with one another without ever being offensive. We called each other various "racial slurs" and odd versions of those slurs, among other things, all the while with a smile on on our face because we knew it was harmless and not meant to offend or damage. Gran Torino is saturated with this same kind of banter, (though fairly one-sided) and while some would call it alarming, shocking or offensive at times, and often it is, by the end of the film you'll likely come away from it with the same conclusion many have: Embracing one's differences, even joking about them, is a far better reality than avoiding them altogether, as at least you're interacting. Nothing breeds fear and contempt of the unknown more than the idle mind left to faulty influence.

Of course it's no shocker that Hank tones it down at the end and refrains from as many "chink" references as he did earlier in the film, as no Hollywood film is going to end with a guy like him not changing his ways at least somewhat. Yet, what's magical about this film is that in most of Hank's racist rants among his buddies or the Hmong neighbors, there's a sense of inclusion in it that's what leads him to open his mind and heart to these people he feared and loathed so long.

The story also follows Hank's resistance to confessing and repenting for his sins of years past, and deals with that in a way I found very satisfying, though some did not. Without spoiling the ending let me just say that Gran Torino is classic Eastwood tough guy film in many ways, but with the textured beauty of Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby, two of his other great directing jobs from this wonderful run in is 70's. It's funny and touching and dramatic and frightening all while being simplistic and rewarding. If I was to pick it apart scene by scene I could knock it here and there for this and that, but the film comes together as a whole brilliantly and will make you want to see it again. The actors that played Thao and his sister "Sue" were shining examples of what good character actors can do when just left alone to be natural and un-coached; they felt very real. The film is a fantastic piece of work from one of the great living legends in Hollywood, and although it may not win the Oscar, it certainly deserves to be in it's company.

Go see Gran Torino...and take a friend.