Review of Gran Torino (2008) by Veturliði Þór S — 22 Mar 2014
-- Hardboiled handkerchief stuff from Eastwood --.
If you liked Eastwood`s movie Million Dollar Baby", with its mixture of hope, bittersweet joy, and grim reality, you will enjoy Clint`s Gran Torino".
-- The plot is simple. Walt Kowalski, who is an elderly and grumpy (plus racist and foulmouthed) retired factory worker, becomes a vidower. He`s unable to communicate with his two grown up sons; he dislikes his Vietnamese neighbours "the Gooks" and seems to be the only white man left in his working class neighbourhood. Walt is only on speaking terms with his barber; and his dog.
-- Walt is also hounded by the "baby-faceed" parish priest (which Walt says looks as a 27-year old virgin) who, as a promise to Walt`s late wife, is trying to get him to the confession chair.
-- Due to events, related to Walt`s sports car, a model 1972 Ford Gran Torino", he is drawn into the life of his two Vietnamese next-door neighbours, the teenagers Thao ("Toad")and his sister Sue.
Walt is an old dog with a thick hide, but a heart of gold. The character grows on you, and the end of the movie is surprising. Be prepared to shed a tear.
This review of Gran Torino (2008) was written by Veturliði Þór S on 22 Mar 2014.
Gran Torino has generally received very positive reviews.
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