Review of Gran Torino (2008) by Simeon T — 15 Jan 2015

Easily my favorite of Clint Eastwood's directorial efforts, at least that I've seen. It is first and foremost a wonderful story competently executed, which is more than I can say for his other movies, which I've thought were drowned in ponderous, preachy self-involvement.

I would have given the movie 4 stars or higher were the ending not so terribly bad. Not only did it reek to me of old hammy hollywood endings, but the religious symbolism with which he hits us over the head seemed utterly pompous to me.

I really, really like Eastwood as a screen presence, but he just needs to stop getting such a big head behind the camera. Still, quite a nice movie overall; a good story of an unlikely friendship can overcome a great deal.