Written
February 1, 2009
Gran Torino
While "Gran Torino" doesn't rise to the level of Eastwood's masterpiece, "Letters from Iwo Jima", it is a beautiful film, seemlessly integrated on three levels--plot, dialogue and symbol. The plot is straightforward and follows the classic line of many westerns: widowed, cranky, warrior is drawn once more into protecting what is good in society from what is evil. Eastwood uses that platform to create a set of wonderfully comical and deeply touching dialogues between Walter Kowalsky (Eastwood), a Korean Vet and retired auto worker and his teenage Hmong neighbors, his barber and parish priest. The timing and non-verbal interactions among Ahney Her, Bee Vang and Eastwood are acting at its best. The deeper theme of sin, love, work and redemption is explored through symbols--among them the treasured car and two different confessional screens. Prayer and work are appropriate penance for some sins; others are too deep and can only be redeemed through an act of love and right action. See it!
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11
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11
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