MOVIE REVIEW - Gran Torino

One of the years most anticipated movies, Gran Torino hits theaters this weekend. Clint Eastwood, who is 78 years old stars in this absolute gem of a movie.

Eastwood stars as decorated Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski, who has spent the 50 years since the war on the Ford assembly line in Detroit where the movie is staged. Walt has retired and his wife has died. He lives alone in the same house that he's lived in for over 50 years. His neighborhood has become run down, and he now lives in an Asian-gang dominated block. Walt doesn't understand young people, or his own family. He is extremely prejudice against just about everything. Intolerance is in his blood. The only thing good still remaining in his life is his mint condition 1972 Ford Gran Torino, he helped build on the assembly line.

He reluctantly befriends his next door neighbors who are Asian. Due to life's circumstances, Walt takes a stand on their behalf and the walls of his hatred and prejudice start to erode. Or do they?

Gran Torino is classic Eastwood. His movies over the last 20 years all have that "feel" to them. Eastwood is great as the bigoted Kowalski, and makes a simple man very complex on the screen. As usual, Eastwood assembles a fantastic supporting cast, and manages to put a story on the screen that is compelling, and maybe the most important element....it's a story you have not seen before. That is the separator for Gran Torino.

It's hard to think that after all his success over 50 years, that he would save the last 20 for his best work. But Unforgiven (5 Oscars) Million Dollar Baby (Oscars) Letters From Iwo Jima, (numerous awards) Changeling (favorite to win this year) are all evidence that Eastwood is making the best movies of his career, in the twilight of his career.

Gran Torino. This is a harsh at times compelling movie that deals with many issues and the kind of people we'd rather not think about. But the story telling here is the star. Strong, powerful, adult. Not to be missed. Fantastic!