Directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino is a powerful character study revolving around misanthropic Korean War vet and retired autoworker Walt Kowalski, recently widowed and not the least bit interested in being shuttled off to a nursing home by his selfish adult children. More than a little bit racist in his attitudes, Kowalski unwittingly becomes a hero in his now predominantly Asian-American community by confronting members of a Chinese street gang terrorizing his neighbors. Not particularly comfortable in the role at first, Kowalski gradually warms up to the local Hmong immigrants with whom he eventually finds common ground. Although you might initially mistake Gran Torino for a Dirty Harry sequel starring Clint as the geriatric cop, now brandishing a rifle instead of a .357 Magnum, this film—while not among Eastwood's best directorial efforts—has bigger fish to fry, thematically speaking, making an earnest plea for racial tolerance without ever becoming either preachy or heavy-handed. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a 10-minute “Manning the Wheel” featurette on American car culture, a four-minute “Gran Torino: More Than a Car” featurette on Detroit's Woodward Dream Cruise annual vintage car event, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is “The Eastwood Way” featurette on the actor/director's filmmaking process (19 min.), a bonus digital copy of the film, and the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a small extras package for a winning film.] (E. Hulse)
Gran Torino
Warner, 116 min., R, DVD: $28.98, Blu-ray: $35.99, June 9 Volume 24, Issue 3
Gran Torino
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