Gran Torino: User Reviews

Great Movie
By marti z from yorktown, January 23, 2009

Overall rating:

I have never been a 'lover' of Clint Eastwood but this is one of the best movies he has ever made. The message of acceptance/tolerance is profound. I could see the end of the movie coming, but I balled like a baby when it happened. No one in the theater got up to leave until the credits had been rolling for several seconds. I hated to see it end.

Gran Torino
By jesapizza from NC, January 15, 2009

Overall rating:

I heard a review of Gran Torino on the radio the other day--the local reviewer, noting the rumours that this may be the final acting appearnce for Clint Eastwood, stated that if this were so, this film would be a great one to go out on. I wholeheartedly agree. With a nod to John Wayne's final film, The Shootist, Eastwood pulls off a picture that grips your spine and just does not let go. His portrayal of an extremely grumpy retired Detroit auto worker is a gem--it is impossible to look away--nearly every scene wrought with emotion and deeper meaning. The secondary players, especially Sue and the Priest, two of the most persistent and "glass is half full" people you'll ever see, are wonderful compliments to Eastwood. This is a story of bigotry, violence, hatred, persistence, redemption, sacrifice and deliverance. It is funny, sad, serious and light. It is a total contradiction, seemingly moving at a snails pace , and then its suddenly over, with a surprise finish that is flat out brilliant. As the meaning of the ending became clear, I found myself gasping for air. A literal feeling of having the wind knocked out of me. This is the effect all movies strive for. This is the first review I have ever taken the time to write, because Eastwood was worth it. 5 stars

A Fitting Title
By danmoore from Old Towm, January 6, 2009

Overall rating:

Is it merely coincidence that the 1974 Ford Gran Torino was the car to own when Harry Callahan was protecting the streets of San Francisco from gang bangers and lunatics? As good as Clint was in his prime, he is better today. Like the Gran Torino, it is hard pressed to keep up with the muscle cars of today's youth, but Eastwood gives a worthy performance that demonstrates his character's flaws and claws with depth and believability. You know you have met this guy, whether on the NW side somewhere or maybe in Calumet City, Walt Kowalski is an American original. He knows all too well why he loves this country, but has great difficulty finding out why he also hates it. In the end, he makes peace in his own Kowalski way. Definitely worth the investment.

Pretty typical Eastwood, but enjoyable
By solitaire from suburbs, January 4, 2009

Overall rating:

The story was a little contrived, so if you're looking for something really deep, maybe go see something else. I will admit that I went to see this a little unwillingly, but ended up really enjoying the movie. Being Asian, one would think I would be put off by all the racial slurs used by Eastwood's character, but somehow I just found it funny. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to everyone, but overall, I thought it was good, sad, satisfying.