Gran Torino

You feelin’ lucky? Well, do you punk? Gran Torino should and does.

Like the aging car the film takes it name from, Clint Eastwood is fairing well in his twilight years. They just don’t make them like they used to. At 78, Eastwood’s swansong performance as a bad ass war veteran is the perfect farewell. This film is the surprise hit of the year so far; with its casual racism, satisfying if simple plot, and quote upon quote of Eastwood magic (”You ever met someone you shouldn’t of fucked with? That’s me.”), Gran Torino is a treat for movie goers everywhere.

A story about a bigoted, widowed old man, who’s alienated from his own family and an alien to his own multi-racial community, Gran Torino takes a simple yet heartfelt look at how even an old dog can learn old tricks.

Eastwood’s racial slurs, grunts and grimaces raise laughs from the offset, and the film comfortably ticks along, the pace and performances of the central characters perfect. As the story progresses, we see a clumsy, clunky changing of Eastwood’s ways (‘I got more in common with these gooks than my own family.’), that manages to satisfy despite all the subtlety of a sledge hammer attack. Sure, the acting at times is wooden, but Clint is at his best, and this is a true treat for the fans film.

If you want to see a bad ass old man with arms like tree trunks administer some justice to some out of control street punks, then this is the film for you.

Sincere, charming and refreshingly light, this is pure, simple entertainment at its best.

The conclusion is the perfect way to round it off, and as the Gran Torino rides into the sunset, Clint’s rendition of the song by the same name will leave movie goers everywhere smiling from ear to ear.

Yes, it’s true, they don’t make them like they used to. Farewell Clint. It’s been emotional.

Last edited: 24th July 2009