Gran Torino Crashes, Burns

Clint Eastwood grunts his way to a predictable performance in the new film, also directed by him, Gran Torino. It is difficult to discern whether it is the script or the acting performances that are more lacking. The movie's premise would seem to be a good base for a compelling plot. Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a gruff, rigid retired auto plant worker and Korean War vet who continues to reside in a neighborhood that is now populated by minorities and immigrants. His bigoted opinion of these new neighbors is obvious. Eastwood lives in the past as even his ungrateful family fails to understand his ways.

When gang violence literally spills onto his front lawn, Walt is drawn into the lives of his Hmong neighbors who equally dislike him. After saving the life of teenager Thao, played by Bee Vang, Thao's family is grateful for Eastwood's bravery. Thao's older sister, Sue, played by Ahney Her, becomes Walt's closest acquaintance. As problems escalate, the plot follows predictable and entirely unconvincing scenes of gang violence and interaction. In scenes of assault and danger, Eastwood comes to the rescue like a deranged superhero in an after school special.
While the film aspires to show that commonality and friendship can be found even among the most unlikely people and that sacrifice and decency do still exist, these themes are relayed in such a contrived manner that it is difficult to find them compelling.

As repayment for previously attempting to steal his prized 1972 Gran Torino, Thao is put to work by Walt doing various tasks to better the neighborhood. The bond that forms between Walt and his two young neighbors becomes that of family and at the movie's climax, Walt sacrifices his own life to the gangs so that Thao and Sue can live without fear and with hope for the future. While the cinematography and all the visual elements of the film are believable, the plot and dialogue never match up. Eastwood's performance is undoubtedly the strongest of the cast; however it is a role that does not appear to be a great stretch.

The rest of the cast does a lackluster job of making this man's transformation seem probable. There are too many natural situations that are just too contrived, that fit too well into stereotypes. I was never fully engaged in the plot as I could only view these scenes as possible for a movie and not reality. With all of the things that just don't work for Gran Torino, it is only the green, 1972 hot rod that is smooth.