Thursday, December 18, 2008

by Ari

There’s not a terrible amount I have to say about Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino, not because it’s a bad film (it succeeds greatly for what it is), but because it’s really pointless to try to analyze or review anything that happens in the story. Gran Torino is about Clint Eastwood having fun with his iconic tough-guy, “well, do ya, punk?” attitude. It’s a celebration of foul-mouthed, old-school bravado, a B movie that allows a screen legend to chew up the scene with one hysterical quote after another.

It’s cartoonishly racist Clint Eastwood vs. Asian street kids, with a little father/son type bonding with the boy he takes under his wing. It’s about Clint Eastwood spitting out lines like, “what are you spooks up to?”, “you’re letting her hang out with click-clack, ding-dong and Charlie Chan”, “What are you fishheads lookin’ at?”, and “you’re just a little pussy zipperhead”. This is not a film to review. It’s a film to enjoy with a bunch of friends and some beer. Just go see the thing and have fun.