Theatrical Release Date:December 17, 2008 Release Date:June 9, 2009 Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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A disgruntled Korean War vet, Walt Kowalski (Eastwood), sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Kowalski's prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: R Age: 883929033164 UPC: 883929033164 Manufacturer No: 1000041155
Product Description Disgruntled Korean war vet Walt Kowalski sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Kowalski's prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino.
Amazon.com Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino, an unassuming picture shot during a post-production lull on his elaborate period piece Changeling, was quietly rolled out at Christmastime 2008, whereupon it proceeded to blow away all the Oscar-bait behemoths at the box office and win its 78-year-old star the best reviews of his acting career. Both film and performance are consummately sly--coming on with deceptive simplicity, only to evolve into something complex, powerful, and surprisingly tender. Just as Unforgiven was a tragic reflection on Eastwood's legacy in the Western genre, Gran Torino caps and eloquently critiques the urban heritage of Dirty Harry and his violent brethren. And on top of that, the movie becomes a savvy meditation on America in a particular historical moment, racially, economically, spiritually. Call it a "state of the union" message. But call it that with a wry grin.
The latest Dirty Harry is actually a grumpy Walt: Walt Kowalski (Eastwood playing his own age), widower, Korean War veteran, retired auto worker, and the last white resident of his Detroit side street. It's hard to say who irks him more--his blood kin (a pretty lame bunch) or the Hmong families who are his new neighbors. Kowalski's a racist, because it has never occurred to him he shouldn't be. Besides, that's the flipside of the mutual ethnic baiting that serves as coin of affection for him and his working-class buddies. Circumstances--and two young people next door, the feisty Sue (Ahney Her) and her conflicted brother Thao (Bee Vang)--contrive to involve Walt with a new community, and anoint him as its hero after he turns his big guns on some ruffians. The trajectory of this may surprise you--several times over. Eastwood opted to film in economically blighted Detroit--a shrewd decision, but it's his mapping of Walt's world in that classical style of his that really counts. Every incidental corner of lawn, porch, and basement comes to matter--and by all means the workshop/garage that houses the mint-condition Gran Torino which Walt helped build in a more prosperous era. This is a remarkable movie. --Richard T. Jameson
Only Clint Eastwood can pull this offMarch 15, 2010 Joker(Michigan) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Clint Eastwood is still a badass, even in old age, and Gran Torino (2008) proves it. We've all seen him in so many roles that have him playing a tough guy over the years - from his western movies, to Dirty Harry, to Escape From Alcatraz, to this movie, Eastwood always plays a badass tough guy and plays it well. Clint Eastwood directed, produced and acted in the leading role in this movie. Eastwood plays the role of Walter Kowalski, a retired factory worker and Korean War veteran who lives near Detroit. He's old. He's one of those old, crabby guys that's mad at the world. He's a racist. Or at least he starts out this movie as a racist. His neighborhood has gone from being lilly white to multicultural and overrun by gangs. His family doesn't have close relations with him. He's very much alone.
His young punk Hmong neighbor, Thao, tries to steal his 1972 Gran Torino out of his garage one night. Kowalski catches him in the act, but Thao escapes. The stunt was supposed to be for Thao's initiation into a local gang. Walt realizes it was his neighbor Thao that tried to steal his car. Kowalski calms down a bit and has Thao work for him to sort of redeem himself for the crime he almost committed. The two become friends and from that point various bad things happen to Thao's family that are the result of being victimized by the gangs. Kowalski's anger toward the gang boils over to the point where he personally wants to see to it that the gang pays for their crimes. The gang's demise and destruction is Kowalski's ultimate goal. In the process, his racism evaporates as the movie progresses. I don't want to reveal the ending. Watch this movie to see for yourself what happens.
I like the character Eastwood plays. He's rough around the edges, in declining health, hardened by war and his own neighborhood's decline. He has a filthy mouth. Only Clint Eastwood can deliver the lines he does in this movie and make them work. They're so Clint Eastwood-esque. I find his lines very humorous. The way he carries himself in this movie is classic.
If you want to see a very unique movie that can touch you in some ways, see this movie. It's not overly complex. It's very simple but very entertaining. Highly recommended.
Simplicity At It's Finest!March 14, 2010 Joel Rodriguez(Atlanta, GA) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As somebody who likes things simple and sweet it is with no surprise that I just love this movie. Clint Eastwood's style of directing just gives you the necessary. There are no 'fast cuts' just for the purposes of creating tension or action. He just lets the actors and story do there jobs. Eastwood's performance as an actor is one of his best. As a director he manages to get many of his supporting actors, many of whom had never acted before, to give credible performances that don't diminish what he wants to convey.
Enjoyable viewing but you need to be in the mood for it.March 10, 2010 J. Watson(Moved to El Paso, TX) This movie deals with some sensitive issues and is not just a good-hearted movie. It is most definitely a drama with some quirky humor in it. While watching the movie, we used some of the issues tackled in the movie to open some dialogue. It is something that we will watch multiple times.
Clint vs the gangbangersMarch 10, 2010 C. Rocklein Wow, this was a great flick with a cool ending that I didn't see coming. This movie had a lot of heart. Age appropriate for Clint, but with nuts of steel. A perfect vehicle.
Eastwood fighting racismMarch 4, 2010 Theodor Black I don't know why but I am so happy Clint Eastwood has been acting in, directing, editing etc. movies that humanize asian people. Being half asian and seeing this movie and Letters from Iwo Jima I'm really liking what Clint is doing. Aside from the humanizing asians in america, this movie was brilliant. Thank you Clint. You rock! You always have.
