Review of Gran Torino

"Get me another beer... This one's running on empty." Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) summarizes the slow progression of his latest film, Gran Torino, with his long, uneventful drinking sessions on his front porch. However, aside from the periodic drags, Clint Eastwood faithfully carries out his role as a tough guy and receives recognition for this with a Best Actor award by the National Board of Review. In addition, his production skills place the film in the American Film Institute's Top Ten Films of 2008. Although Gran Torino is a very emotional and exciting movie that is worth seeing, its monotony may cause some disappointment for the more thrill-seeking viewers.

Walt Kowalski is a Korean War veteran who lives alone after his wife passes away. In his later years, he spends one afternoon after another sitting on his front porch, with an ice-cooled beer in his hand and a loyal Labrador by his foot, just watching time pass by. One day, his Hmong neighbor's son, Thao, attempts to steal Walt's adored Gran Torino, a very well maintained muscle car, as part of a gang initiation. Although this infuriates Mr. Kowalski, Thao's mother begs Walt to let her son work for him to make up for the sketchy incident. Sure enough, Thao faithfully takes orders from Walt who soon realizes that this boy is a good kid, only lost in a maze of temptations that their shady neighborhood supplies. Lacking a close relationship with either of his two sons, Walt takes up the opportunity to try and lead Thao in right direction, becoming emotionally attached to him on the way.

With Walt now on Thao's side, Gran Torino builds suspense in terms of how Walt deals with the problems, mostly caused by a troublesome gang, Thao and his family face. Having experience on the battlefield, Mr. Kowalski isn't afraid to make daring confrontations in order to stand up for the Hmong family. But Walt alone cannot protect another family, and they do suffer, however unfortunate and cruel it is. After having time to bond with these people, watching them struggle is very saddening. Watching Gran Torino will most likely result in a flowing wave of emotions, with both ups and downs, all the way to the shocking, turnaround end.

There is a weighted, gloomy mood throughout Gran Torino, but Clint Eastwood successfully balances this out with intermittent comedic actions or dialogues. Walt's straightforward personality can sometimes turn a dangerous incident into something a little more humorous, managing to squeeze a few chuckles and grins from the audience when the time is right.
Gran Torino is a very worthwhile film that delves into one's emotional side, but simultaneously offers a little "shoot-em-up" action. However, be advised; bring a beer or perhaps an extra tub of popcorn in preparation for the plot's slow progression.