Gran Torino

[john]

I enjoyed this a lot.

I had trouble with Walt's relationship to Tao. Even after spending a considerable amount of time developing it, practically a third of the movie, it still felt forced.

It is still very watchable, though. Easily Eastwood's most entertaining film in quite some time. It trips over itself a bit, becoming too weighty, at times, but never becomes a Crash-level sermon on race relations. Though, as previous posters have stated, it is a bit guilty of race theatrics - though that never kept me from being engrossed.

Throughout the film, however, I just kept thinking how fucking great it would have been had Samuel Fuller been alive to direct it. That hypothetical film would have been fucking amazing.

Also... the title, in retrospect, actually seems a bit too serious to me. Obviously "The Enforcer" was already taken... but it would have really benefited from something similarly direct and a bit exploitative.

"The Avenger" maybe? "Old Fashioned Justice"?... I don't know, I'll work on it.

[Pas]

Samuel Fuller ? Never heard of him but if you think he'd be great at stuff like this I'd like to have suggestions of his best movies. I know Big Red One but I've never seen it, any other ?

[squints]

check this:
http://xixax.com/index.php?topic=6994.msg268348#new

i'd recommend: Pickup on South Street, White Dog, Shock Corridor.

[samsong]

forty guns

[SiliasRuby]

My personal fav. is The Naked kiss

[john]

You could go with any of these suggestions and not be incorrect. Fuller's filmography is a real treasure chest for the uninitiated. So watch any of all of them films either listed here or otherwise.

Personal suggestion to following the Gran Torino association: The Steel Helmet and White Dog.

[Gold Trumpet]

Spoilers


It's a really good film.

Like many other people, I've grown up watching Clint Eastwood films. His star was more than a recognizable moniker, it was an existence of its own. Like John Wayne, the man couldn't be separated from his star persona. The more interesting thing over the years is that Eastwood was more in control of his films and was making films that were more self conscious of his persona's shortcomings. The last few films of Wayne's were decent attempts to evolve the character, but Eastwood has almost literally dedicated his last 20 years to giving character definition to his age old character.

Million Dollar Baby felt like the purposeful final film for Eastwood's tough guy persona. The film was shockingly simplistic in every form. It seemed like Eastwood was trying to reduce his persona to its essence. He even brought along his favorite costar, Morgan Freeman, along for the ride so the film would be familiar to fans of his. The film failed for me because it tried to interject lame political overtones into the story. The film shouldn't have been a set up to Swank's tragedy, but something that resonated more with the simplicity of the characters. The political injection just turned the film into 1940s housewife soap opera.

Gran Tarino is Eastwood's second and better attempt at everything Eastwood intended in Million Dollar Baby. His character in the film is instantly recognizable and doesn't need introduction to the Eastwood filmography. He is a variation of every major character he has ever played. Friends of mine are demoting the film because the story and characterization feels so worn to the Eastwood history, but that's the point. The film follows numerous cliches, but does all of them in such an underhanded way. Then the final scenes shows a true miracle because a true to form violent moment could have happened but doesn't. The end is Eastwood's redemption and comment about his place in this new world of violence. It feels like he is saying he doesn't even recognize himself anymore in todays film violence.

The simplicity and assurance of everything Eastwood does in this film is the reward. I watched this film and laughed at all the jokes that brought me back to old films of his and smiled at the small moments of growth Eastwood showed in his character's evolution. Nothing about the story was forced. There were numerous chances for the film to go off the deep end into ridiculousness, but it always settled for answers that were objective of the characters Eastwood truly cared for.

The film isn't the casting of new granite into the world of film art, but it's the final best walk for a major star. Considering Paul Newman ended his career with less resolution and a few murky roles here and there that weren't familiar to his fans, I'm glad Eastwood at least gave the world Gran Tarino.

[Pozer]

It's a really good film.

it's not a really good film. its mediocre at best. you should take a note from these friends of yours cos the story is undoubtedly a tired one especially for him and he's done it much better in previous films.

i grew up watching Eastwood's movies too and this one does have its kickass Clint moments, but the script is so uninspired and the acting is atrocious by pretty much everyone in it but him. seriously, The Gold Trumpet, you pick a part movies like The Dark Knight & There Will Be Blood but not a movie that is filled w/scenes that are nearly impossible to watch due to the embarrassing performances and lame dialogue.

i'll give you the ending, i guess, but on your repeat viewing forget about his old movies and supposed character growth in this one and you will realize how much of a flawed film you are watching and you'll be like

I was wrong. 

[modage]

Yeah, it's ridic but totally entertaining.  Not a great film by a long shot though.  The best part was the racial slurs. 

[abuck1220]

the most amazing thing is that those two kids must have been the best of all the actors that auditioned. imagine how bad the actors that didn't get the parts were. when the brother is locked downstairs yelling at clint, the entire audience laughed. some of the worst acting i've ever seen in a major movie.

[Jefferson]

The best part was the racial slurs. 

midway through i was convinced that it was the best comedy of the year. then teh funnay stopped and i realized it was suppoed to be serious. oh well, at least it was half of a good comedy.

[Stefen]

Feel good comedy of the year.

[Gold Trumpet]

it's not a really good film. its mediocre at best. you should take a note from these friends of yours cos the story is undoubtedly a tired one especially for him and he's done it much better in previous films.

I always dislike this this tone of arguing on here. According to you, all that matters is that I am wrong and you're right and the context of your review is adding on to how wrong I am. Thanks for the personal comment about my friends. Totally unnecessary, but keeps in tone with your attack being more personal.

Not even I think anyone is just "wrong" for their opinions. There is no right and wrong in the world of what you think about films. To think there is a form or arrogance.

i grew up watching Eastwood's movies too and this one does have its kickass Clint moments, but the script is so uninspired and the acting is atrocious by pretty much everyone in it but him. seriously, The Gold Trumpet, you pick a part movies like The Dark Knight & There Will Be Blood but not a movie that is filled w/scenes that are nearly impossible to watch due to the embarrassing performances and lame dialogue.

You do put a small legitimate form of contention here. Yes, I did put There Will be Blood and The Dark Knight on different levels of criticism. I was much more thorough in examining their structures and finding fault, but I think it was appropriate. Gran Tarino doesn't have the same ambition that those films have. It's dramatic, yes, but it's also a Clint Eastwood vehicle.

Over the years the films Clint has made many films for himself to star in that haven't been technically excellent at all. My enjoyment of his films may be personal and cloud my critical eye, but none of his his films have ever struck me as ambitious either. They don't yearn for the same critical consideration that the two films you mentioned wanted. Unforgiven reaped awards and what not, but it was an exception. The standard Eastwood starring vehicle was epitomized by movies like Heartbreak Ridge and what not. If you look at his filmography and films he starred in, produced and directed you see a lot of vehicle projects that aren't of the highest order anyways.

I liked Gran Tarino in this vein of thought. Maybe I liked it as much as anyone could have, but I still kept my sum up sentence to saying it was just "really good". I may have been a little boisterous about the film, but I relatively kept my praise in check. If I made a top ten list I doubt the film would make it. The review was more about personal feelings.

[modage]

maybe just say "i really liked it" instead of "it's a really good film"?

I enjoy being contrarian.

yep.

[Gold Trumpet]

maybe just say "i really liked it" instead of "it's a really good film"?

I don't think I need to. If all I said for every review was just really "good" or "bad" film, then yes, saying I "really liked this" would be better because my opinion would need the appropriate context. But for Gran Tarino I gave a longer review and while I did gush over the film, I kept my thoughts understandable to the place of the film.
....................................

I do admit I enjoy being the contrarian, but the only review I looked at for this film on here was the one by John so I thought my review was more of an agreement with others. I had no clue it was being spit on the way it is so being a contrarian had no sway here.

And while I just admitted I do enjoy being a contrarian, I have to further say it's never been my reason for ever liking or disliking an individual film/filmmaker.