Customer Reviews
Sorry, but this is no 'Eastwood Classic' - By: tunsty, 02 Sep 2010 
Everyone has been telling me I should see this movie, that it's great etc... well, sorry, but I found it quite boring & predictable.
Now before I get pelted with rotten tomatoes, let me just say, I am a big fan of Clint Eastwood.. I spend many a night watching his movies, but this one isn't going to be high on my list for repeat viewing.
So what's wrong with the film?
Well, I can't fault the acting, but, you know when you're watching something & you get the vague feeling like you seen something like it before?
Well, I got that feeling virtually all the way through this film..
Okay, I can't pick out exact scenes that make me feel that, nor can I make direct comparison with any other specific film, but I just got the feeling that this was old ground being worked over.
Both the characters & the story seems to be cliche-ridden.
The old 'loner' forced into action, the bad neighbourhood full of thugs, gangs & druggies, the immigrant family being targeted, old loner steamsin & saves the day... I just felt that all this has been done before,in other movies.
Walt's sons & families seemed to be nothing more than time-fillers.. the film would have been watchable even without their presence, I certainly didn't get the feeling that there was any use for them other than to drive the story along at certain points.
As for Thao starting work.. gimme a break, he barely looks like he could put his socks onin the morning. I certainly don't buy the 'workingin construction' route that was taken, all those tools Walt bought him & I'll bet they had him shovelling sand all day!
Surely a better plotline would have been, having Walt take Thao under his wing as a do-it-yourself mechanic, letting him to little jobs on the Torino.
I'm glad to have watched the movie, but this DVD is going to the back of my DVD drawer.. maybe I'll see how it looksin a year or two..
Honest, decent and tear jerking - By: Mr. Kyle S. Donnelly, 22 Aug 2010 
I had a little scan over the reviews & 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 & 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 isin an asian community, he is white, his wife is dead & he spent timein serving over seas. Now retired he is haunted with guilt & regret for his past life but is clearly showing a tough front. He has no hate for race & no hate for religion but he isin a place where is the odd one out & now that he is weary with age he wants to settle down & get over his past life. Over time you find out a little about him & the community around him. Now this is where people get very touchy as almost every thugin the area is either black or asian & seeing as how he is an ASIAN neighbourhood & 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 & forced to do crime. When the young boy fails they gang start to drag him from his home & of course this is where clint's character comes into it. He saves the boy - though for selfish reason - & 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 & he is decent but above all humble. He holds no respect for himself but believesin a wholesome life:
- work hard
- be good to your family
- find a woman & live happy
Simple, the main reason I love it is because we livein an age where kids are becoming spoilt, ruthless & 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, butin the end its only words, the faster people come to terms with that fact the sooner people can grow up & get along. I livein the UK & the 4 kingdoms love have a joke at each other & to be fair it gets brutal. This movie is no different people can be mean butin the end the people that care about you always have the best intentions. Honestly the values taughtin this movie are very human & very real.
I suggest to any person who loves a simple story with brilliant acting & 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 & this movie managed to shed a few from me.
Watch this movie.
First rate - By: Chris L, 20 Aug 2010 This is an excellent movie that I believe appeals to just about anyone.
Clint lovers - This is a must - Great acting AND directing! Car enthusiasts - The Gran Torinoin the title looks fantastic & is a real slice of american automotive history (as is Clint or Walt's everyday transport an old beaten up Ford Truck).
It also is a good summary of anywhere that is trying to come to terms with old & new, existing & different, cultural issues, old versus young - You name it it's there!
Walt's attempt to educate one of the peoplein the movie is hilarious.
In short this film should appeal to anyone who pure & simply likes a good movie!
Higly recommended.
A Magnificent Swansong! - By: T. Sweet, 16 Aug 2010 This is a great film, but if you are expecting a typical Eastwood character then it may not be for you. I think it has attracted some low ratings from people who were expecting a typical 'blow all the bad guys away' film! In fact the ending is totally out of character with most of Clint's previous parts, but I think that is what makes this film so totally moving, you just aren't ready at all for the ending. If you dont cry, there is something seriously wrong with you!! Also contains some great, but seriously dry, humour which had mein stitches a lot of the time. A great story with some realistic characters & a truly amazing swansong for one of the worlds all time favourite actors.
Gran Torino - By: Je Salter, 05 Aug 2010 When I saw all fuss about this film, I couldn't understand it & thought that poor old Clint was a bit past it. However, I can quite honestly say that it was one of the best films I saw all year.
Clint Eastwood plays an army veteran who lives alone & is a rascist bigot who verges into redneck'ism. He becomes an unwitting hero & vigilante when local gangs start to make his neighbours lives hell.
Clint Eastwood demonstrates that he's far from past itin this film, the acting is great, the story is brilliant & the humour dark & hilarious. Superb film & very enjoyable 10/10.
