Last night we finally got around to seeing Gran Torino, the new film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood who also stars in this quintessential story of contemporary America.Gran Torino is a morality tale. But don't let that scare you away for this a morality tale as only Clint Eastwood & Co. can tell it.
No, I've never been a big Clint Eastwood fan. I never saw most of his earlier films and the only recent film of his that I really liked was Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil.
But Grand Torino is and isn't a Clint Eastwood film.
It is pure Eastwood in that it contains more than its share of violence and harsh language.
It isn't Eastwood in that it also incorporates subtlety, sensitivity and a healthy dose of nostalgia.
As usual, Eastwood's character doesn't have an awful lot to say in this film but when he says something, you'd better listen very closely.
It's a joy to see a great actor (and director) like Eastwood still growing in his craft. This is a very up-to-the-minute movie that surrounds Eastwood with fresh young talent. The story unfolds at its own deliberate pace and touches upon modern settings and issues while presenting classic, timeless themes.
I don't understand why Gran Torino wasn't nominated for an Oscar as best picture or why Eastwood was not nominated (for director AND actor) or why members of the supporting cast were not nominated. I'd hate to think that it has something to do with political corectness.
This film is easily one of the year's best if not THE best picture of the year. And Eastwood has been chosen Best Actor of the Year by the National Board of Review which also honored Nick Schenk for his best screenplay.
Gran Torino is grown-up movie making at its best.
I highly recommend it!
1 comment:
This would be a great career-ending movie. I think Mr. Eastwood could ride off into the sunset knowing that he ended on one of the greatest notes in Hollywood History. I put this up there with The Wrestler as the two best I've seen over the past couple of years.
Post a Comment