Number 157 on the top 1000 films of all time is the 2008 drama Gran Torino.
Directed, produced and starring Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino focusses on Walt Kowalski - an angry, grumpy old man. Harbouring deep prejudices from serving in the Korean War, his whole life is changed when his Hmong neighbour Thao (Bee Vang) tried to steal his Gran Torino car. The two form a grudging relationship as Kowalski takes Thao under his wing, learning more about the Hmong people and himself in the process.
Racism and prejudice are right at the heart of Gran Torino. Kowalski is initially racist towards the Hmong people, the Hmong have their own prejudices towards white men like Kowalski and the Hmong gangs clash with Mexican gangs. Despite this, the portrayal of racism is always nuanced and well-represented. Eastwood's direction ensures that all the different perspectives are showcased well and things are never too preachy.
Gran Torino was also notable for being a Hollywood film with a predominant Hmong-American cast. And while Bee Vang alleged that the Hmong actors were not always treated like equals, all of the Hmong actors were great. Bee Vang brought a vulnerability towards Thao, but I was very impressed with Anhey Her who played Thao's older sister, Sue. She acts as Walt's spiritual guide and although he is difficult at times she doesn't give up. Anhey brought a true three-dimensionality to the role and her rapport with Eastwood was really great to watch. Whenever Kowalski said something less than PC, she had a riposte ready to shut him down.
Eastwood both directed and starred in the film and his direction was far superior than his acting (more than that below.) Throughout the film, Kowalski's inner turmoil within himself is always in the forefront of the action. In many ways, he becomes a reluctant hero, unwilling to accept any praise. The tension is always strong but there are some also much needed moments of levity. Kowalski has a great camaraderie with his Italian-American barber Martin (John Caroll Lynch.) The two of them share a back-and-forth where they are constantly breaking each other's balls with casually racist jokes.
If I were to criticise anything it would definitely be Eastwood's acting. I understand that Kowalski is supposed to be a grumpy old man. I understand this is his character arc and we're supposed to see him transform into a reluctant hero, as he learns more about the Hmong people. But Eastwood definitely over-did it. In every other shot, he has a thinly-veiled scowl on his face...even when he's smiling. Whenever Kowalski made an off-colour comment, I often found myself laughing at how much Eastwood overplayed it, which wasn't how I was supposed to react.
This was a terrific film and a great character study of racism and prejudice in America. Down to the twist ending, the stakes were always high and the acting was great. Well, apart from Eastwood...did we really need a "get off my lawn" line? Was that really necessary?
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