Clint Eastwood is one of my all time favorite actors. He does an unbelievably great job in his movies. Eastwood always plays a tough guy that intimidates other characters in his movies. Gran Torino is a perfect example of this. Clint Eastwood plays an old, grumpy man named Walt Kowalski, who is a Korean War veteran living in Michigan. To his family and neighbors, he is a lonely man who keeps to himself and doesn’t seem to like anyone. Through the years, his nice quiet neighborhood has turned into an undesirable one, filled with new immigrants and gangs. His new neighbors, ironically, happen to be of Asian decent, which his character despises. The neighbor’s son, Thao, is persuaded by his cousin, a local gang member, to try and steal Kowalski’s prize possession, a Gran Torino. While attempting to steal the car from the garage, Walt catches Thao in the act and holds a gun to his face. Thao’s family is very embarrassed, so they make him work for Walt. Another scene has Walt saving Thao’s sister, Sue, from some men harassing her. Slowly, Walt becomes close to the family next door. He protects himself and neighbors from the gangs that have been threatening them. They work together and become friends to fend off the gangs. This movie conveys so many different messages. From Walt being racist, and then learning to get along with people, to Thao learning to stay away from gangs, and living a good life. This is a great movie, which will keep the viewer at the edge of their seat. It will make you think about the way people are treated and how you want to help others. I recommend this movie to anyone that wants to see a good action film with great messages and meanings.
Scott Deal's Blog 
Gran Torino is a film unlike many other films in Clint Eastwood’s career. From films like A Fist Full of Dollars, Dirty Harry, and Hang ‘Em High, he was always able of playing the mean cowboy type of character. Later in his career, he is able of taking his tough person attitude to another sensitive side. Gran Torino is a great drama movie. The plot can relate to modern day in many troubling areas. People are forced into gangs and are unable of getting out. Clint Eastwood in this film does play the stereotypical elderly Caucasian male. Throughout the film he helps his Korean neighbor Thao to have a life without violence and sin. Toward the end relinquishes his hate toward Koreans and tries to stop the gang pressuring Thao. I believe Clint Eastwood’s directing skills are prosperous. He has made other masterpieces like Letters from Iwo Jima, Million Dollar Baby, and Mystic River. You are right with saying this is a film recommended to people who want great messages. This film truly expresses it and it is one of my favorite Clint Eastwood films.
By: alexdennisperry on November 10, 2009
at 3:03 am
In my opinion, I just love this movie. I thought it was touching, sad, intense, and just all over great. Clint Eastwood definately kept his reputation of a grumpy, intense guy that you do not want to mess with, and if you do, it might be the last thing you do. Out of all of the many Clint Eastwood movies that I have seen, I honestly cannot even choose which one is my favorite. But Gran Torino was definately near the top. The film is just intense and awesome without Clint Eastwood going out and shooting the whole gang with the many guns that he has stored in his basement. Unlike most other action films where the hero would go on a revengeful killing spree of the villain. But in Gran Torino it was a completely different case, and had an emotional, but yet powerful ending. That, I thought was just a great way to end a movie, and they still ended the whole film with the witty charm of Clint Eastwood.
By: angelikasheen on November 13, 2009
at 4:51 am