‘Gran Torino’ tries to blend in the theme of true-blooded Americans realizing that it is indeed a land of immigrants, a global country, along with the last leg of a man’s life where redemption, salvation and the end of the road are things high on the priority list. Such ingredients would normally result in a powerhouse film but ‘Gran Torino’ ultimately ends up as a film, with flashes of brilliance but a disappointing end product.
The film showcases the simmering resentment towards the world, nursed by an old ailing All-American Korea war veteran, Walt Kowalski, who has just lost his wife, has no relationship with his children and has a bunch of Hmong neighbors to deal with.
Eastwood the director seems to put in the nuts and bolts in place, with Kowalski being a war veteran and a retired auto worker, that American of all Americans who lives in Michigan, a state so proud of its now struggling automotive giants. He proudly flies his national flag in front of his home and growls at anyone who is not his race. But, the context he creates for this has loopholes in it, which ultimately don’t hold the transitions together.
From being a growling emotionally ravaged old man, Kowalski’s transition to being the protector of his Hmong neighbors from gangs of their own race has been depicted very well and the flashes of brilliance come from this part of the plot. Where the film falls flat is the end-game, where he tries to find the solution for the road ahead for himself along with the solution for the gang’s menace.
Here is where the blending goes wrong, for the solution could have been the family moving elsewhere, for gangs don’t have a global scope. Other aspects of the film which involve discussions about life and death between Kowalski and the local priest are tepid and uninspiring as is that one poignant moment when he decides that he cannot depend on his children anymore. Such moments needed beefing up. The end leaves the viewer disappointed with questions, as to why he chose to do what he did.
As an actor, Eastwood delivers one of his better performances and at his age, still has a powerful screen presence, looks fit and mean. Ahney Her who plays the neighbor’s daughter has an endearing screen presence and has good chemistry with Eastwood. The usage of the Ford’s 1972 ‘Gran Torino’ seeks to symbolize the home-grown pride of the character and a certificate of worthiness that its owner should possess. But it does not pass for a summation of the film and one wonders why it was used in the first place.
Barring a few splutters and stutters, ‘Gran Torino’ builds up well right up to the end, but ultimately disappoints. Watch it to see Clint Eastwood looking as menacing as ever, but do not expect to be elevated beyond a point.
