GRAN TORINO (2008) - Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood is the epitome of Hollywood legend. As an actor, Eastwood, in his fifty four years of working in the industry has become synonymous with the tough guy demeanor. As a director, Eastwood’s unfussy approach to direction has made him a director who knows how to get the best out of his actors. In Gran Torino, Eastwood takes on the dual role of actor and director, something he has done in films such as Heartbreak Ridge and Unforgiven.

Walt Kowalski is a retired Ford motor company employee and veteran of the Korean war. He has spent the majority of his life living in the same house in the suburbs of Michigan. Over the years he has seen the neighbourhood change with the arrival of more and more Hmong people. This is something that causes Kowalski irritation, as he is somewhat of a racist. When Walt steps in on a violent situation and saves his teenage Hmong neighbour (in actuality, Walt steps in just to save his lawn), he finds himself exalted as a hero in the Hmong community. Walt is then forced to deal with the unwanted attention his new celebrity brings him.



There’s two types of people in the world. Those who love Clint. And those who don’t. For those who do, this film is like a glorious epilogue for Eastwood’s career. For those who aren’t Clint fans, this film should turn them. Eastwood’s performance is just fantastic. He a grumpy, seething malcontent. And while that doesn’t sound like something to be entertained by, Eastwood is just so good in the role that it’s impossible not to enjoy the film. Racism aside, it’s easy to imagine Walt Kowalski as a retired Harry Callaghan. Eastwood has stated that Gran Torino will be his last film as an actor. While this is a sad thing to hear, it’s great that Eastwood went out with such a bang. Walt Kowalski is a no-nonsense, shit-kicking badass. And enormously entertaining to watch.



Where the film does fall slightly, it is with the support cast. To be fair, the Hmong actors are all first-timers, hand picked from the community for the roles. While their inexperience certainly shows next to Clint, they do a good enough job not to distract from the film. It’s a minor complaint. But Eastwood’s performance more than makes up for it. The script isn’t flawless. Some of the character arcs are a little questionable. Kowalski’s transition from racist to non-racist happens rather quickly. But aside from that, there’s not much to complain about. Eastwood manages to inject quite a bit of humour into the role that could otherwise be quite unlikable. With his trousers hitched up over his belly and a permanent scowl on his face, Kowalski manages to have elements of many of Clint’s iconic roles, while still being independent of these.

For the film that marks the end of Clint Eastwood’s acting career, Gran Torino is a great swansong. As a film by itself, it’s very entertaining, and questionably overlooked in favour of the more dour and serious Changeling. But it’s a film that surprises you in how entertaining it is. And at 78, Clint’s still got it and looks as badass as ever.


9/10

LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA (2006) - Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood delivers the second part of his Iwo Jima saga, after Flags of our Fathers, with Letters From Iwo Jima. This time, the film centers on the struggle of the Japanese soldiers who struggle to hold the island with little in the way of supplies, and struggling to avoid catching dysentery. The film is anchored by a fantastic performance by Ken Watanabe (Batman Begins, The Last Samurai). Watanabe plays General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, a man transferred to Iwo Jima to over see the Japenese forces shortly before the American landings. His unorthodox approach of commanding his troops causes descent among his staff. Among the soldiers is Saigo, a poor young baker drafted into the army who questions the purpose of holding the island while suffering the rigid discipline of the Japanese army.

There is a sombre and sad tone that runs through Letters From Iwo Jima. As well as the soldiers, we know what is coming. There is to be no heroic sacrifice. There is no way out of the impending doom. The soldiers are locked in a bitter conflict amongst themselves between modern warfare and the ideology of honorable sacrifice by dying in battle. The traditionalists will die no matter at whose hands it is, their enemies' or their own. But many young soldiers just want to go home to their families.

Eastwood is an excellent director as is evident here. By showing us insights into the central characters' pasts, we are connect with the soldiers more. Only one of their stories is out of place and unnecessary amongst the others. The acting is excellent from all involved. But while Iwo Jima was one of the longest battles of the Second World War, focus is shifted away from the actual fighting and focuses on the men involved. And in that sense, we don't get a feeling for the scope of the battle. The actual raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima is relegated to the background of one short scene. However, this is an excellent film and one that should rightly take it's place amongst the great war epics.

Letters From Iwo Jima @ IMDB