Rated R For language throughout, and some violence
Length:
116 minutes
Director:
CLINT EASTWOOD
Cast:
CLINT EASTWOOD, BEE VANG, CORY HARDICT, BRIAN HALEY, BRIAN HOWE, DREAMA WALKER, CHRISTOPHER CARLEY, AHNEY HER
Genres:
Drama
Other Features:
Color; interactive menus; scene access; behind-the-scenes featurettes.
Screen Formats:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.40:1
Subtitles:
English SDH, French, Spanish
Language and Sound:
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Original Release Date:
2008
I saw a preview of this film and thought it looked good. I trust CLINT EASTWOOD, pretty much with anything, and when he is in the director's seat, well, I trust him even more. I think he may have even been on board as one of the writers. He plays a cantankerous old Korean War vet. His wife dies and he is alone with his dog and his 1972 Gran Torino and a family that doesn't understand him. He strikes up a relationship with his Hmong neighbors and ends up being their protector against the gang-y neighbor punks.
This is a good movie. I loved CLINT EASTWOOD. He cast himself perfectly. He has got that tough, manly man thing going on but you know deep inside is hidden a beautiful softness. The kids are great, too. I had never seen them in anything before but they were well cast. There were funny moments, sad moments and very tense moments. The acting is really complex and Mr. Eastwood is such a wonder to watch.
The script is good. As I said before, I think Mr. Eastwood had a hand in writing. The story is refreshing and unpredictable. I did not know what was going to happen until the end and even then it was a, "Oh, I see how it is gonna go."
I also thought it was cool to see the transformation of the characters. They all begin as strangers and find a way of communicating that goes beyond something one can find in their own family.
And of course, there is the car. Check out the special features section as it is pretty cool. The car itself is a character. It sits there as his "body" or "soul" or "life" and is central to the film. Yes, yes it is the title, so duh. I guess 'cuz I don't know that much 'bout vintage-y cars I thought I might be intimidated by a film that deals with one. But it is not intimidating. It is thought-provoking, emotional and very good.
