Gran Torino [Blu-ray] [2008]

I had a little scan over the reviews and honestly I never met a larger collection of pompos know-it-alls who completely hated the movie based on its political view. The point was a avoided because of the high degree of racist comments and the attitude of the main character. I am writing this review because I feel I have to let people know why this movie is honestly one of Mr Eastwoods greatest movies. Lets get to it, First of the character is in an asian community, he is white, his wife is dead and he spent time in serving over seas. Now retired he is haunted with guilt and regret for his past life but is clearly showing a tough front. He has no hate for race and no hate for religion but he is in a place where is the odd one out and now that he is weary with age he wants to settle down and get over his past life. Over time you find out a little about him and the community around him. Now this is where people get very touchy as almost every thug in the area is either black or asian and seeing as how he is an ASIAN neighbourhood and he is one of very few white people that doesn't suprise me. A young asian boy - cousin to a gang of thugs - is being tomented and forced to do crime. When the young boy fails they gang start to drag him from his home and of course this is where clint's character comes into it. He saves the boy - though for selfish reason - and from this point onwards I'll reveal no more plot. Clint potrays a very stereotypical war vet retiree, he is grumpy, he is tired but he is honest and he is decent but above all humble. He holds no respect for himself but believes in a wholesome life: - work hard - be good to your family - find a woman and live happy Simple, the main reason I love it is because we live in an age where kids are becoming spoilt, ruthless and irresponsible. Honestly he is a complex character but easy to relate to because he is such a decent person deep down. Makes you think about how you look at people. Back on the race topic the main character is very blunt with his racial comments, but in the end its only words, the faster people come to terms with that fact the sooner people can grow up and get along. I live in the UK and the 4 kingdoms love have a joke at each other and to be fair it gets brutal. This movie is no different people can be mean but in the end the people that care about you always have the best intentions. Honestly the values taught in this movie are very human and very real. I suggest to any person who loves a simple story with brilliant acting and great story line it is worth your time. Movies can be as good as books if done right. This movie comes pretty damn close. Man or woman the end will make you cry. I am a heavyset male who almost never cries and this movie managed to shed a few from me. Watch this movie.

This is trademark Eastwood. Powerful performances from unknown actors who shine throughout, packed with wonderfully dry, witty and quite racist (yet tasteful) dialogue and touching emotional relationships that develop and change as the film progresses. A beautiful mellow soundtrack accompanies the long, lingering shots Eastwood uses to paint a picture of a peaceful suburban neighbourhood touched by the growing culture of gangs and street crime, something all audiences can relate to, no matter their culture. As for taking the lead, Eastwood could clearly emulate any of his former tough-talking and all-American heroes in their retirement. Harry Callahan, Tom Highway, Mitchell Gant and even Philo Beddoe can all be seen in his bitter, haunted and brilliant performance. Seeing Walt flower from a bitter man to a caring one is a delight, and there are plenty of fantastic one-liners and memorable Eastwood snarls along the way to make you smile the way you did with 'Dirty Harry'. Young Hmong actors Bee Vang, Ahney Her and Doua Moua are perfect as the representation of youth society today, entwined by family but separated by their various cultures and aspirations in life, which all are relevant in today’s society. They work so well together, and there is no distraction from the story at the presence of these unknown actors, which Eastwood always uses to great effect rather than big Hollywood stars. The story is wonderful, very entertaining and very appropriate in modern culture. There are moments of great humour, great drama and great sadness but not one moment is glorified or exploited for cinematic effect. Eastwood knows how to deliver a powerful film wrapped up in a very modest and normal looking shell which leads to the gradual tension between cultures building to the finale; a very powerful moment and one that could almost encapsulate Clint’s acting career sign-off.

I had seen the trailer for this movie and couldn't wait to see it - albeit in DVD form. If this is to be Clint Eastwood's swansong as an actor ( and I doubt it) then he has gone out in a truly memorable and excellent film. It is a film that doesn't pull its punches, dealing with issues of disfunctional families, the generation gap, cultural differences and race, gang warfare and bullying. It has one or two harrowing moments but is generally a happy film punctuated with a lot of humour. Unlike a lot of American film and TV, this film does not preach nor patronise. You are left to form your own opinions. The acting is excellent throughout the cast. Clint, of course, is his usual laconic self - his acting wonderfully paced. The two young Asian "leads" are excellent, too, putting in natural and effecting performances. The minor characters are all wonderfully played. The pace of the film (slow at first) allows character to develop. The young priest and the barber are two examples of this. I ought to mention the dog too. A sensitive and underplayed performance here as well! This film will leave you with much to mull over after viewing. It is a modern masterpiece with so much to commend it even after several viewings. Excellent is hardly a sufficient epithet. Mike, Stoupa, Greece

Ottimo!

Very compelling story of how Clint's character, Walt, shifts his attitude from the grumpy old man to a nurturing friend to his Hmong neighbors.

Der meiner Meinung nach im Moment bedeutenste Regisseur In Hollywood Clint Eastwood stellt in seinem neuesten Film Wieder einmal wichtige Aspekte der Menschlichkeit In den Vordergrund, die in unserer Welt nur allzu oft Verloren gehen. Mitgefühl, Toleranz bzw. das Abbauen Von Vorurteilen sind zentrale Themen des Films. Die Beziehung zwischen dem wütenden, vom Krieg Gezeichneten und rassistischen Koreaveteran(Eastwood) Und dem asiatischen Nachbarsjungen Tao entwickelt sich im Laufe des Filmes zu einer innigen Freundschaft, die dem Alten Mann neues Leben einhaucht. Doch die neu gefundene Hoffnung auf ein Glückliches Leben wird auf eine harte Probe gestellt... Wieder beweist Eastwood, wie man 100% Emotion in einen Film packen kann, ohne die typischen Hollywoodklischees Zu bedienen. Ein Film für mehr Toleranz, ohne dir auf die Schulter Klopfen zu wollen, zum Nachdenken animiert er allemal... Unbedingt ansehen!!!

Gran compra por poco mas de 5€.Es la edición inglesa,pero lleva tanto idioma como subtitulos en castellano.Pelicula excelente .Tiene extras.

Quality good image good audio french/english