Gran Torino

Gran Torino Review
Walt Kowalski is a Korean War veteran who lives by himself in a mostly ethnic neighborhood. At old age his life seems meaningless and his only love is his dog and his car, a 1972 Gran Torino. His wife is dead and his two sons want nothing to do with him. It isn't until a Hmong family moves in nearby that he learns what it means to have compassion. He realizes that he's closer with these people who have nothing in common with him than his own family and creates a strong bond with two kids named Sue and Thao. Soon he finds himself mentoring the young boy Thao. When a local gang threatens Thao's safety, Kowalski takes it upon himself to protect the only friends he has.

Gran Torino is a film unlike any I'd ever seen. Judging from the trailers I was expecting a movie filled with racism and ethnic slurs, but instead I found one of the best movies I have ever seen. Gran Torino is a heart-wrenching film that I really connected with as an Asian American. Clint Eastwood is brilliant in his portrayal of Walt Kowalski and newcomers Bee Vang and Ahney Her are off to a great acting start.

The film tackled the issue of racism flawlessly. While Kowalski initially was framed as a racist old man with a huge anti-Asian sentiment, he soon realized the error of his ways and went through a coming-of-age even as an old man. While the film used ethnic slurs such as "gook" and "chink" rather frequently, the usage was appropriate and helped to make the film feel very authentic.

The actors were superb except for a few lines by Ahney Her. Her played Sue, one of Mr. Kowalski's neighbors. Some of her lines seemed forced and unnatural, but as a beginning actress she shows a lot of potential. I thought Bee Vang played his role of Thao with incredibly authenticity. Being a new actor, I was surprised at how well he portrayed a shy but compassionate young boy. Clint Eastwood was good as usual in his portrayal of Walt Kowalski. Eastwood really brought toughness and realism to his character, an old Korean War veteran.

This film is a must watch. Eastwood delivers a masterpiece and we get introduced to some great new talent.

Written by Lance


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Gran Torino Cast
Clint Eastwood as Walt Kowalski
Bee Vang as Thao Lor
Ahney Her as Sue Lor