Gran Torino

2008

Clint Eastwood, Christopher Carley, Bee Vang, Ahney Her

Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) is a grumpy old racist Korean war veteran, who has just lost his wife. As well as mourning her death, he is also mourning the loss of his American neighbourhood to the Korean family who have moved in next door. His only prized possession is a 1972 Gran Torino which he keeps in mint condition in the garage. When his young neighbour Thao (Vang) sets out to steal the car for his gangland cousin, Walt catches him in the act and makes it is business to reform the teenager, not realising that he too would become embroiled in gang warfare!

The positives of Gran Torino are the cinematography, music and Clint Eastwood. The man can go no wrong, in front or behind the camera. The bad......Vang and Her just can't act. Their performance is so wooden and scripted, i am surprised Eastwood allowed it. It is an enjoyable film with a heartbreaking ending...but lack of acting skills makes the kids tedious to watch.

7/10