If ever you wondered what “Dirty” Harry Callahan would be like in his retirement years, look no further than Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood’s swan song. If ever there was a performer who could pull off playing a 78 year-old action hero it’s Eastwood, who still has the ability to burn holes in the screen with a glare and a scowl.
Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) has just lost his wife and his children want him to move out of the old neighbourhood and into a senior citizens’ home. However, Walt wants to stay even though more Asian people live in his Detroit neighbourhood than Americans. Walt has a problem with Asians ever since he fought them in the Korean War.
This prejudice explodes when Thao, the teenage son of the Hmong family next door, tries to steal his mint condition 1972 Grand Torino automobile. Thao (played by Bee Vang) was pressured by an Asian gang to steal the car as an initiation rite. To regain the family’s honour, Thao is forced to work for Walt. Walt begins to protect Thao from the gangs and soon he becomes a target.
Gran Torino finds lots of little tongue in cheek moments of humour, from Walt’s near perpetual grumpiness to his bigotry. He’s like Archie Bunker with a hangover. His racial insults are comical in their obvious bigotry. For some reason most of his insults do not seem malicious, but rather almost innocently ignorant. His Hmong neighbours greet his ignorance with amusement.
Being directed by Eastwood himself, Gran Torino is very well made. It was nice to see that Clint only somewhat features his famous harsh lighting. Eastwood also gives a great performance to boot (more then great, considering it’s the same role he’s always played and it’s gotten a little better with time).
Unfortunately though, and this is the films major downfall, Eastwood decided to cast mostly amateur (in both senses of the word) actors for the Hmong roles. As good an acting director as Eastwood is, the acting is abysmal, especially Thao. As I’m sure it’s mentioned elsewhere, there is a particular scene where Thao freaks out when locked in the basement. I laughed hysterically in the worst possible way.
As for the other actors, several, or a majority of their lines, had little or no emotion, connection to character in the scene, believability, and finesse. Now some will say, “Hey, they were first time actors, give them a break.” No, I won’t. This is a film being directed by one of the finest talents in the history of American cinema. It was like watching a middle school TV Lab project when Eastwood wasn’t on screen.
Supporting cast aside, this film is a great combination between humour and tragedy. This is a man we have all met at one point or another and not liked, but Eastwood possesses the charm to make it likable. I loved seeing Eastwood, now almost 80-years-old, scaring the young bangers with his words and imaginary handgun gestures. Clint Eastwood proves he’s still tough and in this visceral performance that will be remembered long after the golden statues are given out.
