Gran Torino: KICK ASS!
I liked Gran Torino. I liked it a lot. Walt Kowalski is one of the least likable characters to come out of Hollywood in ages. He's cranky. He's bigoted. He's still stuck in the 1950s, when people mowed their lawns with unpowered mowers, visited barbershops, and were intolerant to anyone more ethnic than Italians. He's a war vet who's seen and done some horrible things during wartime; he's not afraid to use a little muscle to get his point across yet has definitive lines that he will not cross. And yeah, the bitchin' 1972 Gran Torino doesn't hurt, either...
Plus, he's the eternal spokesman for the Stay Off My Lawn party...
That is all.
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13 comments:
I am surprised that you failed to mention the fact that he carries a bone-stock 1911.
No comment on how many times in school I voluntarily refurbished old reel mowers and used them to mow my parents' yard.
"Get off my lawn..."
Great Movie! 2 thumbs up. I went to see it when it first came out. It was released on January 9th 2009, Myself and a friend went on January 20th a tuesday night, it helped us to avoid the mindless TV that was on that night.. ;)
Don't forget the M1 Garand! I was really hoping to see more of that in the movie.
Jay,
I'm right there w/ Butch . . . not a word about his 1911 carry piece and the 7 rounds of 230grain .45acp whoop-ass it dispenses.
Appropriate movie too given that Vet's day was just the other day.
Surprised it took you so long to watch it.
- Brad
I hated the ending. It was the *right* ending, but I didn't like it much. I was still waiting for Dirty Harry to make an appearance.
And it is a GOOD story!
Agreed Jay! And Nancy - I know what you mean. While the ending was definitely the "right" one, it did leave the "Eastwood kicks major ass" itch unscratched.
SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT
I saw it fairly recently. And was underwhelmed. NOT by Eastwood, he is incredible! But I thought the other actors just weren't up to snuff. And the ending? Why are there suddenly witnesses willing to come forward? The gang members off to prison, yay. They have no outside contacts to seek vengeance? I just found it all too implausible.
The ending was "right" because the sacrifice was the best way to change the neighborhood paradigm. The only thing "kick-ass" would have done is perpetuate the rule of the baddest ass. His example shamed the victims into finding a spine: if the old fart SOB white-guy can lay down his life, can't we at least stand up and testify? (But, yeah, some better acting in supporting roles would have been nice.)
Some of the acting quality from the supporting actors can be forgiven once you know most had no prior acting experience. Most of the cast and crew for the movie was recruited from actual Hmong communities here in the US. That's actually pretty cool as opposed to filling the slots with any ol' Asian-looking actor who came along because dumb Americans won't know the difference.
Watching this movie was like watching my dad on screen. Everything was just like him, except for the redemption.
Rented it one weekend from Netflix, watched it...went to the store to buy it the next day. Think I'll need to give it another go-around real soon.
Maybe tonight since my day has been sucking donkey balls.
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