Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Gran Torino
2008
****
Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Christopher Carley, John Carroll Lynch, Doua Moua, Sonny Vue, Elvis Thao, Brian Haley, Brian Howe, Geraldine Hughes

Walt Kowalski is a recently widowed, grumpy old bigot who is at odds with everybody, be it his grown-up children, his next door neighbours, or the local Catholic priest. Walt worked at the Ford factory and fought in the Korean War, and in the recent times he has watched his white Detroit suburb turn into an ethnically mixed slum. The cherished 1972 Gran Torino in his garage symbolises the traditional American values. With his delightfully raw performance, Clint Eastwood manages to add some humanity to this racist and often unpleasant man. Walt's slurs made me wince and laugh, and the emotional climax left a lump in my throat, although the character ultimately comes across as a great white saviour.