Directed and starring Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino opens December 12th in limited release and wider January 16th, 2009.Clint plays a Korean War vet who is recently a widower. He is left alone in his home in a neighborhood that is quickly being populated with immigrants.
His family is completely self-absorbed and pay no attention to him. His asian neighbors stick to themselves and their community. Their children played by newcomes Bee Vang and Ahney Her are brother and sister. They are constantly being harassed and recruited by a gang that is up to no good.
Clint's character is a bigot that spews ignorant and racist talk in every sentence. He is very much the crotchety old man.
When the neighbor boy is caught trying to steal Clint's prized Gran Torino car from the garage, the boy is sent to work for Clint to restore honor to his family. Unwillingly, Clint accepts and begins to give the boy tasks around the neighborhood. Soon, Clint is seen as a hero in the neighborhood for cleaning things up and standing up to the gang. Clint takes a liking to the hardworking neighbor boy, but Clint realizes the gang must be stopped or they will take the boy and turn him to a life of crime.
This story is a coming of age story, and an unconventional buddy picture about clashing cultures. It's heart is in the right place, but it just boils down to a Dirty Harry grown old movie.
Although Clint gives a good performance (although a bit one note, especially for the first half of the movie), the rest of the cast is spotty at best. In fact, some of the characters are just so one dimensional such as the old man's family. Also, the film falls prey to so many of the stereotypes that it is in the position to challenge. It is for these reasons that we can't recommend this one from good ole Clint.
No comments:
Post a Comment