DVD-Gran Torino

Clint Eastwood directs and stars in Gran Torino, a revenge epic that is short on revenge and long on redemption.

Clint plays Walt Kowalski, a racist Korean War vet and a retired assembly line worker who remains static in a world that is changing. He is a crusty old fart but a decent guy nonetheless. I know a hundred just like him.

The action centers around the Asian refugess who have moved in next door. Improbably, Kowalski becomes part of their "family" after the son fails to steal Kowalski's sweet Gran Torino as part of a gang initiation. You will hate that gang and want to cut off their balls and blow off their faces with a shotgun by the end of the movie. This is where the movie fails.

I have talked to a lot of people who say they loved this movie except for the ending. Every person I spoke to wanted Eastwood to get Dirty Harry on those punks. Instead, he does the Jesus Christ pose and lets the fuckers gun him down, so they end up in prison. Yes, I spoiled the movie for you, but Clint spoiled it himself with that sappy ending. Have Kowalski die but have him die with his guns blazing. That ending was straight out of Bridges of Madison County.

The movie is otherwise an excellent film, and I recommend it.

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