SPOILER ALERT
I just saw Gran Torino today. In this film (a very simple Eastwoodesque formula) Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a retired Ford factory worker and Korean War vet. He’s a man haunted by his war-time experiences, particularly, the day he killed a teenage Chinese soldier who was trying to surrender. Walt lives in a Detroit neighborhood that has changed (Southeast Asian Hmongs are moving in) and Walt is not happy.
The movie opens at the funeral of Walt’s wife and the new priest, a kid just out of seminary, tries to get Walt to come back to church and to go to confession. Into this simple tattered world drops Tau, a young Hmong boy who is trying to stay out of trouble. Walt meets Tau as he is in the midst of trying to steal Walt’s cheery 1972 Gran Torino, the only stable thing in his life that connects him to his past.
Unfortunately for Tau, the local Hmong gang won’t let him alone. Walt takes Tau under his wing but things become complicated when the gang targets Tau and his family for violence. Walt, who is dying of cancer, decides to take matters into his own hands. He finally goes to confession and confesses little through the confessional screen. But in a neat inversion, he locks the vengeance-seeking Tau in his basement and through the screened door, confesses the sin that has haunted him all his life. Tau, an Asian teenager, receives Walt’s confession of his earlier cold-blooded murder in the Korean War.
Walt, now partially absolved, goes out to the gang and allows himself to be killed. He lays down his life so that the gang, implicated in his murder, head off to prison. Tau can now begin his life anew. His last will and testament leaves behind his property to the church and his prized possession, the 1972 Gran Torino, to Tau.
The film is about life and death, sin and forgiveness. It also portrays the young priest as a lad with gravitas. It’s a great film. Go see it. A book that might give you some extra food for thought on Detroit and change is "Made in Detroit." I’ve read other reviews that warn against the crude language but for this ol’ former Marine it wasn’t nothing but a thing.
THANKS FOR THE SPOILER ALERT!!!
Posted by: Steve R. | January 22, 2009 at 11:27 AM
OOPPS, you're right!
Posted by: Garrett | January 22, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Yeah but I still want to see it.
Posted by: Bobber | January 22, 2009 at 12:30 PM
This was a great film, Garrett. It reminded me of my paternal grandfather SO much... all Clint needed was an anchor tattooed on his forearm!
I thought the portrayal of the sons - my generation - was very well done. Import SUV, way overdone house, kids that hate and don't respect parents, etc. The grumblings was a LITTLE overdone, I thought, but Eastwood is still utterly striking at almost 80 years old.
The ethos/layout of the working class man's garage (of yesteryear)... man did he get THAT right!
Posted by: Matt Beatty | January 22, 2009 at 08:04 PM
Good movie...good review. Glad I saw this movie.
Posted by: Chris | January 25, 2009 at 11:42 PM
What is the name of the church in this movie? Does anyone out there know? Thanks
Posted by: Sara Bellum | March 21, 2009 at 11:51 AM