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Movie Review Gran Torino
Eastwood swings at social commentary and misses
Gran Torino
6:00 pm Jan 11 - by Jeff Brandt – buzz Writer
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Gran Torino
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MPAA Rating: RCurrent Showtimes: No showtimes available
The eternal scowl of Clint Eastwood returns in wide release this week in Gran Torino, Eastwood’s latest project as actor-director-producer (but not screenwriter; that credit goes to Nick Schenk). The living legend stars as Walt Kowalski, a retired automaker and Korean War vet from Motor City with reactionary values.
The film opens to a scene of his wife’s funeral, where he glares at his own granddaughter for exposing her midriff in church, mocking (in Walt’s eyes) her dead relative with her bellybutton ring. Walt utters a low growl as she sits down next to her cousin — clad sloppily in a Detroit Lions jersey — and proceeds to open her cell phone. Walt’s permanent angry-face shows his alienation from this 21st century culture of constant text messaging and disregard for one’s elders.
Above all, he hates how “swamp rats” — just one of many racist terms he applies to Asians — are overtaking his neighborhood. Yet when his suspicions come true and he catches Thao (Bee Vang), a bookish teen of Hmong descent, attempting to steal his mint condition 1972 Gran Torino, a curious connection between the two loners blossoms into a bizarre friendship. Walt takes it upon himself to teach Thao — whom he calls “Toad” because he’s that ignorant — how to do man things like construction work, talking to women and chewing the fat with other middle-aged white racists. And when Thao’s older cousin won’t leave him alone, Walt becomes Thao’s protector from gang violence.
Gran Torino has its charming moments, like when Walt makes an awkward visit to a Hmong house party with Thao’s sister Sue (the delightful Ahney Her) as his tour guide. The film intends for us to believe Walt gains an intercultural understanding, and sometimes he almost does . . . but then he calls Thao’s family “zipperheads” and “gooks” and insinuates they eat dogs, and for some reason, they take it in stride. The audience is supposed to laugh at those points. And they do, but it’s nervous laughter — or else laughter at how lame the movie’s sense of humor is. Even though Walt learns to befriend Thao’s family, he’s still a condescending prick out to show Thao that the white way is the right way.
The real laughs come from Vang’s stilted acting and from Eastwood’s sad attempt to sing the title theme as the credits roll. I love Eastwood, but he probably should have called it quits as an actor after Million Dollar Baby (2004).
Sound Off
Last post: Jan. 14, 2009 at 3:07 am
Magdalena Wrona (Magdalena Wrona) said on Jan. 13, 2009 at 6:13 pm:
That's a good interpretation of it. I would agree, although I think the racist comments went a bit too far- not even because of what the content was but the frequency itself was pretty unnecessary. but that's just an aside. i also think that there was some change in Clint's character in the end.
The movie does hit some rough patches when it comes to acting.. kinda made me cringe at points, yet in the end i left the theater very very satisfied- but that may very well be just because clint is forever a badass in my eyes.
Jeff Brandt (Jeff Brandt) said on Jan. 14, 2009 at 3:07 am:
Racism comes in many shapes and sizes, in varying extremes. Yes, Walt is far from committing hate crimes even in the beginning, and at the end he comes to accept and enjoy the neighbor family's company. And yeah, the ending. But he's still condescending toward them, out to teach them a lesson in how to live by setting an example -- almost becoming a Christ figure in the process. He takes it upon himself to settle their disputes for them because he, the all-knowing Caucasian authority figure, knows best.
And honestly, I had a really hard time believing in the authenticity of his interactions with the barber. Their banter was exaggerated.
Geronimo Joe (Joe ,Geronimo) said on Jan. 13, 2009 at 4:46 pm:
I didn't take the movie that way at all. I think racism is the tool he uses to hate the asians, but he literally hates everyone but his dog, at least in the beginning. Had a load of white people who were loud moved in next door I think that he would have hated them all the same. I mean Walt even hated the white priest who was only helping him. An example of the racism not being a deep and serious can be seen how he makes fun of his barber friend in the same racist fashion. I think the Asian family recognized the non serious nature of the racism and that is why they were willing to accept him when he, albeit unintentionally, helped out Thao.
Had he really been that racist there is no way the movie would have ended the way it did (trying no to spoil it). I think the racism is there to be intentionally controversial in order to paint Walt as an anti hero. And really, I think people who were too sensitive to look past the racism really missed a great story.