Clint Eastwood is the quintessential bad ass - he doesn’t even need a gun just a finger and a cocked thumb -, and in Gran Torino he just proves that being 72 isn’t going to effect that at all.

In Gran Torino Eastwood plays Walt, a hard nosed Korean War vet, who is angry at a world that has morphed from a time of manners and respect to an age of disrespectful youths and the parents who perpetuate their behavior. From the beginning grimace you understand Walt, and by mid movie you are in his corner 100%.

Walt lives in a neighborhood that has fallen apart around his perfect rockwellion existence. A new people have taken over, and Walt is no way happy with his asian neighbors. With shouts of “Get off my lawn!” and other racist laden comments this becomes obvious quickly. It isn’t until a local gang starts a fight with his young next door neighbor does Walt get catapulted into their world.

Warner Brothers

Warner Brothers

In a movie rife with tragedy and racism, Eastwood brings humor and ultimately salvation to an otherwise touchy subject matter. The only negative I can say about the movie is Eastwoods raspy singing during the last moments of the film.This is one of my top movies for the year.

All in all this is a must see.

Rating: ★★★★½

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