Gran Torino (2008)

Would you die for others? It's not just a pretext for preaching, this is actually the question one will ask oneself after watching this movie. Gran Torino is one of the ten best films of 2008, with the impressive backing of high IMDb rating, a number of awards and hundreds of Gran Tarino movie reviews. The problems raised in the movie are deep and timeless, so this film is right to be in the list of 100 Movies to See Before You Die.

Gran Torino is a loved car of a former Ford factory worker Walt Kovalski (Clint Eastwood). It is also the object of desire of many, including Walt's friend, relatives and a Hmong local gang. The latter had a strong intention to steal it and gave this task to a Hmong boy Thao, Walt's neighbor, as his initiation into the gang. Being quite a friendly person without any wish for violence, Thao failed his mission, but this turned out into his lucky change to make friends with Walt, a very strict and difficult man. For his part, Walt realizes he is much closer with his neighbors, the Hmong family observing a load-bucket of strange traditions, rather than his own sons. But there is a gang that always interferes with the life of Thao and his sister. One day Walt, a former Korean veteran, decides to stop this conflict, alone against the whole clan. He won, though he found no other way out but to give his own life.

Gran Torino is definitely one of Eastwood's best films among a vast majority of them. What is most peculiar about it is that it touches, teaches and there is something to feel off about it. This is definitely the movie for multiple viewings to make you fall in love with each character. First, this is Clint Eastwood of course, who is so convincing in his performance being another grumpy war veteran who, apart from ordinary life circumstances, goes through a kind of evolution of his character. This adds to the movie neat touches of character study that makes Gran Torino worth seeing. Indeed, Eastwood is both good as a film director and excellent as the main character.

This is quite a simple story but it's amazing how so many problematic issues are packed in it: family, religion, society problems, real values and whatnot. While you start thinking you have already covered them all, there is still the thing to reflect upon. Though the ending is very sad and bitter, but it gives hope and sends the message to each viewer. If you were hesitating whether to watch this movie or not, hope this Gran Torino movie review persuade you to give it a try.