Day 107: "What the hell does everyone want with my Gran Torino?"

It's not often that I get to see two phenomenal movies is a row.  The Sting was yesterday's masterpiece, today, something a bit more modern: Gran Torino.  This was another great movie from director Clint Eastwood; yes, that Clint Eastwood.  I missed this movie when it came out in 2008, and it slipped out on video while I was distracted by something shiny, so I never got around to seeing it.  My brother-in-law recommended (read: insisted) I see this, being a huge Clint fan himself.  Thanks, Jim, you were right.  This is, rightly, one of Clint's top three movies, with a strong argument for the number one slot.  The story revolves around Walt Kowalski (Eastwood), a cranky, set in his ways, and extremely bigoted widower who is dragged, kicking and screaming into a relationship with his Oriental (Hmong to be exact) neighbors.  Now his character is also a Korean War veteran, so that particular bit of prejudice is intact as well.  The story is wonderful and deep, allowing the audience to look into all sides of racial tensions.  Every possible bigoted slur and epithet is tossed around like proper names, so be prepared for VERY strong language throughout.  Do not let this sway your motivation to see this movie.  It is a brilliant look at American racism and the strides a single man, unwillingly at first, takes to change his own perspective.

Clint Eastwood's performance is as good as his direction.  Walt Kowalski should go down in cinema history as one of the great bigots to grace the screen alongside of such characters as: Rod Stieger's Gillespe (In the Heat Of the Night), Adam Baldwin's Animal Mother (Full Metal Jacket), and the classic small screen racist: Caroll O'Connor's Archie Bunker.  The Asian cast is just as good as Eastwood, their characters having their own particular prejudices towards Walt as well. 

The title of the movie refers to the 1972 Ford Gran Torino that Walt keeps as a reminder of his best, most productive past days.  This car is coveted by just about everyone who lays eyes on it.  This is another movie that needs to go on everyone's must see list.  The language is very harsh, but the lessons drawn from this story are ones that should be learned.  A raw and unflinching look at racism and its inevitable consequences, add Gran Torino to your Netflix queue, but send the kids to bed first.  9.75/10.

See you tomorrow, and GO WATCH A MOVIE!!