Gran Torino - Review

It's been less than 6 months since Clint Eastwood last released a film, and for a director approaching 80 he makes all other filmmakers look lazy. What's even worse is that Eastwood hasn't made a bad film in years. Since 2003's Mystic River Eastwood has consistently produced and directed superbly crafted entertaining films. He may well be the greatest living American director working today.

With Gran Torino, rumoured to be his last acting performance, Eastwood gives a superb performance as Walt Kowalski, an aging, racist Korean War vet whose neighbourhood has become populated by the Asian community. The film opens with the funeral of his wife, and it soon becomes clear that with her death Walt is a lonely unhappy old man. His children only speak to him when they need him, his grandchildren are awaiting his death. His new neighbours are Asian immigrants. His only companion is his loyal dog.

This is truly Eastwood's film. The role was one only Eastwood can play and it's credit to him that even in his late 70's he's still as tough and hard as nails as he's always been. Thankfully though Eastwood is also aware of his age and Nick Schenk screenplay plays up the restraints of being an old man living by himself.

The film's biggest weakness is the supporting cast. No one in the film except Eastwood shine, and although you couldn't expect some very young actors to ever match one of Holloywood's last great legends, the performances do undermine parts of the film. Thankfully though the film throws enough humour that, in the screening I was in, no more than ten minutes past without a raucous if slightly inappropriate laugh erupted.

The film offers Eastwood possibly his last great role, and if he doesn't step in front of the lens again this performance will certainly stand up against his early more famous roles and reprisals as Harry Callahan or The Man with No Name. The film may not equal the brilliance of Unforgiven, or even Million Dollar Baby, but it certainly demonstrates that Eastwood has a mercurial hand when directing and can also give a stunning performance which if not as iconic as previous roles is certainly as engaging.

Eastwood keeps churning out great, entertaining cinema, and this stands up alongside his recent resurgance reinforcing my believe that he is potentially America's current greatest filmmaker. A story which only Eastwood could star in it offers fans the indulgance they might crave, and sees the actor playing not only to his strengths but also shows Eastwood is an actor unafraid of his age.

4 Stars