Gran Torino
It might be the second most uplifting movie this season. I know, it's depressing in itself. Or, as I mentioned earlier,
me: a grumpy Clint Eastwood is about as uplifting as it gets if you're not watching Slumdog
The tale about the interactions between an old Korean War Vet's and his Hmong neighbors really seems like a story that's certainly due to be told. As immigration reaches ever further into the Heartland of America, social strife unfortunately seems to follow, and the topics Clint Eastwood highlights with his film are important for much of the country to hear. In what is likely his last on screen role, Mr Eastwood portrays that cranky grandpa character that's simultaneously endearing and intolerable. The audience is put in this position of wanting to give him a much-needed hug, but never stepping up to the plate for fear that he'd quickly put a bullet in your well-intentioned skull.
By the time you truly see the conflict of the story, the ending is already clear as day, and some might find that a fault. But truthfully, I don't really mind when things happen as expected. As much as I love those occasionally twists and turns, I don't need every ending to be a surprising ending. And just because the bittersweet finale was a bit of a foregone conclusion doesn't make the film any less relevant or any less satisfying.
The Quick Take: Gran Torino: a touching story about how an old, white, racist man that even his sons don't know how to love manages to connect with the Hmong teenagers next door.
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