Like all Eastwood directed films, GRAN TORINO is highly overrated but has its moments of sublime grace.

GRAN TORINO (Clint Eastwood, 2008, USA) Walt finally earns his Silver Star for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States, not by killing a young boy…but by saving one instead. Walt Kowalski is an anachronism, a warrior ghost who haunts a homestead he must defend from invasion. As his neighborhood changes he is witness to outsiders inhabiting his static world, Hmong citizens who barely (if at all) speak English, perceived foreigners that trespass upon his territory, igniting a moral conflagration that threatens his gasoline powered American values. Director Clint Eastwood has created a subtle narrative whose trajectory isn’t blasted from a Korean era M1 rifle; instead, he focuses upon a lonely dying man who realizes that it’s never to late to change, his final metamorphosis is an emotional salvation that sublimates a corrosive disease that is a by-product of his violent past. Kowalski himself is obviously a descendant of immigrants, not much different than those he chooses to condemn and deride. Eastwood portrays Walt with a grimace of deep angst and a wounded growl of pain, but imbues him with humanity and humor while (mostly) overcoming caricature. But the film’s flaws relegate most of the supporting cast to hackneyed characterizations and the familial relationship between his two sons is poorly acted and rather monotonous. The plot is boilerplate and predictable and it’s only Eastwood’s high-octane persona that fuels the engine. The boyish Catholic Priest is pretentious and unreasonable, offering only hollow words to heal Walt’s wounds; this young seminarian knows nothing of either life or death and his inclusion in the drama is annoying and obtuse. Father Janovich is a figurehead for the writer to say something profound but only fills the screenplay with needless and inane prattle. Though ripe with stereotypes, GRAN TORINO doesn’t delve into DEATH WISH theatrics: after all, Walt only fires one shot…and it’s accidental! Walt’s final messianic pose nearly crucifies the story’s sudden impact thus relegating the final resolution to a far-fetched but heartfelt climax. (C)

A C is pretty fair, but I think I would lean more towards a C-/D+, to be honest. Most of the acting is pretty poor, much of the story feels familiar (in a stereotypical way) and a lot of the dialog is just flat. Though the ending was good, I don't think it really saved the movie. I was surprised with how well regarded this film was, since it really felt pretty hammy watching it. Generally I like Eastwood, and was actually interested in this when it came out and was receiving good reviews, but I just don't think it worked.

To bad you guys feel this way, I really loved this movie so does most of the people I know that has watched it. I thought it was a great film. To each thier own though :)

Mike, funny you mention your grading because I vascilated between a C & D and finally settled upon my final grade...I think because my father is a Korean War vet and he has always held racist attitudes towards Asian people though he has mellowed in the past few years. He actually gave me his Korean War M1 which he was able to buy from the Army after his 4 year tour was up.
Somehow, Eastwood is a "critics darling" but he doesn't make very good films.

Amen to that, Alex. The current bizarro Veneration of All Things Eastwood is really mysterious. There isn't a single Eastwood film I'd save from the flames, and there are a couple that I'd gladly set a match to myself.

I loved the movie, too, Stormi... One of my all time favorites. More here

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9314...

Definitely an A+!

I like Eastwood, maybe not his westerns, but most of his other stuff I like. :)

I'm the exactly opposite. I think his westerns are good--and, in particular, the western he directed (High Plains Drifter). But the rest of his movies I can't get into.

I'm with Mike on this. I love high Plains Drifter and liked The Unforgiven quite a lot. The other stuff I'm not so keen on. I hated Mystic River.

There was a rather lengthy thread on this when it first came out, Alex. A lot of folks in this group praised it, as Stormi noted. I had really mixed feelings about it. I know I had a lot more to say about this one on the previous thread so I'll refrain from commenting further.

Can't believe you guys don't like Dirty Harry?? :) hmmmmmm lol

I like Dirty Harry, or at least I liked it the last time I saw it...but that was a long time ago. I have no idea how well those Harry Callahan films hold up.

I love some of Clint's works as a director... Gran Torino, The Changeling, Mystic River (well, Sean Penn overacted, but other than that), and also The Perfect World. I don't really care so much for the westerns or the Dirty Harry movies, but The Unforgiven is great.