Old Dog

Eastwood sits on the porch pounding back beers

         Before Clint Eastwood was talking to empty chairs for the sake of the Republican Party, he was renowned for his accomplishments in cinema. For decades and decades Clint held the role of onscreen tough guy, playing the part of  many nameless cowboys in a long list of Spaghetti Westerns along with his well-recognised character Dirty Harry which inspired its own series. Yet as the years went on and Clint aged out of his traditional role, it seemed like he was being squeezed out of the silver screen scene. Despite this, Clint has retained his prominence, even re-establishing himself as an onscreen tough guy.

Ahney Her acts as a social catalyst
and introduces Walt to her family

In 2008 Eastwood returned to the industry with film Gran Torino. Set in a lower class Detroit neighbourhood heavy with gang violence, Eastwood plays the role of recently widowed Korean War vet and all around bigot who has a hard time dealing with age. Things are then suddenly changed when Eastwood protects a Hmong boy from gangsters and gains favor with the Hmong family. Soon Clint becomes closely entangled with the affairs of this family and comes to learn more about the family and shed some of his ignorance. However a pressing problem arises in the looming threat of gangsters. Less able than he once was and out gunned Clint must defend the neighbours that he has come to love.

Walt takes Thao (played by Bee Vang) under his
wing to teach him how to be American

Despite his age (which while filming was a staggering 78), Clint does a convincing job in his role of Walt. The traces of his former self are still apparent particularly as the character Walt closely mirrors Eastwood in essence. As for the rest of the cast they do their part but as they don’t share nearly as much screen time or dialogue they are often of little consequence.

What makes the story interesting is that while the movie dwells in this urban gangland setting there is little explicit violence. Unlike films of the past such as Dirty Harry and Death Wish violence isn’t used as a tool to resolve conflict. This marks an evolution in action films and depicts a different if not optimistic America.

If you have not seen Gran Torino it offers decent entertainment through Eastwood’s incessant bigotry and racial slurs as well as interesting character development. It is a good ride, just watch out for the end as Eastwood singing in the credits is enough to make you wish you were deaf.