Critic Reviews
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Christine Champ, Film.com
Though the film feels like a requiem, Kowalski's heart is still defiantly beating.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The comedy-drama on release is actually a rather wise, insightful exploration of family and friendship, violence and vengeance.
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Richard Roeper, Richard Roeper.com
A brilliant commentary on a lot of earlier Clint Eastwood roles.
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Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com
If Mt. Rushmore were to make a movie, it would probably look a lot like a Clint Eastwood movie.
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Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
It is familiar, but only to a point. Suddenly, that point is past and much more serious questions come up, questions of responsibility, of vengeance, of the efficacy of blood for blood.
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Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
This is among his lesser recent movies, which doesn't diminish its likability. In fact, it's pleasing to see Eastwood working the middle of the emotional register for a change.
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Neil Pond, American Profile
Covers a lot of ground as it rolls: religion, the toll of war, mortality, what it means to be a man.
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Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
Twenty minutes in, we know Walt is eventually going to give the car to the kid. The only question is how.
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Mike Edwards, What Culture
This would be a fitting conclusion to a long and illustrious career.
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Frank Wilkins, Frank's Reel Reviews
If the rumors of this being Eastwood's final turn in front of the camera are true, then Gran Torino is a brilliant send off.
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Thomas Caldwell, Cinema Autopsy
Gran Torino is not Eastwood's best film as director or actor but it perfectly encapsulates his onscreen persona and his brilliant directorial career.
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Mark Jenkins, NPR.org
Gran Torino is less a sleek hybrid than a multigenre pileup.
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Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
Even this one-trick predictable pony is worth seeing when Eastwood is riding.
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Karina Montgomery, Cinerina
After the clumsy beginning, the deft writing and excellent acting has so sunk you into your relationship with Walt and Sue and Thao that by the end, I loved this movie, but it took a while to snag me.
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Jean-François Vandeuren, Panorama
Un film posé et d'une grande intelligence émotionnelle qui va au-delà des barrières des croyances ou des origines pour défendre une tradition tout simplement humaine.
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Matt Soergel, Florida Times-Union
Take it for what it is: An old guy who gives himself one last juicy role as the flawed, haunted anti-hero, an old guy who's done this so often that he isn't above making himself look silly as well as heroic (he even croons the title song over the ending c
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Sonny Bunch, Washington Times
If this is the end of the road for the Man With No Name, it's a memorable, winning way for him to go out.
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Less a great film than a fascinating personal testament
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Leo Goldsmith, Reverse Shot
Though Eastwood is not above self-deprecation and, here, downright silliness, Gran Torino is no orangutan movie.
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Mark Pfeiffer, Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema
Like a new driver learning to operate a manual transmission, director Eastwood's awkward shifting of tones makes the lurching Gran Torino a frustrating ride.
Read all 20 critic reviews
Featured Audience Ratings
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This is just a wonderful wonderful movie. From top to bottom the acting is amazing. Clint Eastwood at his best!
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Too dark and too depressing for its own good, the message the film tries to deliver gets lost in a too-cliched plot.
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A greatly affecting film that takes an old school Korean War veteran who's racist, self-absorbed, and grumpy and turns his life around. Clint Eastwood gives a typically compelling performance as the main character, but he is helped by all of the likable supporting characters.… More
A greatly affecting film that takes an old school Korean War veteran who's racist, self-absorbed, and grumpy and turns his life around. Clint Eastwood gives a typically compelling performance as the main character, but he is helped by all of the likable supporting characters. Pretty much every character grows on you throughout the films involving story. There's some great dialogue and several incredibly funny moments packed into this very serious story about staying in touch with your surroundings and not getting stuck in the past. The film starts out with Walt being incredibly racist, but by the end he learns to accept that things aren't the same as they were in the 50's and ends up liking his Hmong neighbors and treats them like the family he never had. His own family just wants his fantastic 1972 Gran Torino and all his belongings when he dies. Part of it is his fault for not living with the times, but his family is also greedy and just wants him to do what they want. The ending, while some might call anti-climatic, is very touching and ends the film exactly as it should. Clint Eastwood has delivered another fantastic film with Gran Torino and it shouldn't be missed.
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This movie could have been great if it weren't for the horrendous acting by everyone around Eastwood and the over exaggerated characters. Despite that, this movies tells a great story about sentiment and culture difference. It has a strong message and is very entertaining.
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If yr expecting a 'Dirty Harry' style flick then turn off now, this is actually a slow burning film about a grizzled racist old war vet who is struggling to cope with life after his wife dies. He must deal with his fading health, his family, neighbours he doesn't like… More
If yr expecting a 'Dirty Harry' style flick then turn off now, this is actually a slow burning film about a grizzled racist old war vet who is struggling to cope with life after his wife dies. He must deal with his fading health, his family, neighbours he doesn't like and local hoods. To be honest I was expecting to see more stuff revolving around the car, seeing as the film is named after it. It is central to the plot but only in the background really, I was thinking this was a kind of 'Fast n Furious' type of thing. Instead this is more like an adult version of 'The Karate Kid'.
Its very good and very well made (Eastwood movies normally are), the acting is all very good apart from the occasional obvious lack of experience from Eastwood's young thespian partner and his family members, but it still looks and feels real.
Eastwood is perfect as the old racist who slowly comes to like his Korean neighbours, his style is a little cliched and we have seen him in this role type before but he does it well. The film is a typical Eastwood flick really...its realistic and quite emotional in places but it also has the cute little lines and visual gags that Eastwood dots around to lighten the load. Some of which raises a smile perfectly yet some is kinda cringe worthy and a bit old fashioned, a sign of the Clint's age I'm afraid, buts its all very pleasing to watch.
Clint doesn't go around beating up hoodlums or pretending to be an action man, he's very normal and plays the role bitter and tortured. Its great to see him stand up to youths and give em a mouthful (racism in full flow), basically freak them out with his kamikaze way of dealing with situations, but its also a little silly to see as well. He's an old man who really couldn't do anything in the film or reality, the man with no name loner thing is a touch outta date really but its still enjoyable. Eastwood actually looks a lot like my dad in this which was a bit weird lol!.
Very good film if rather unoriginal from Eastwood, the ending is sad and I wanted to see more really but I guess the film leaves you wanting that extra bit which is a good thing. Just don't expect much action with the Torino.
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Clint Eastwood gives a brave, risky, riveting and incredibly powerful performance. Showing after all these years that he can still deliver an amazing portrayal giving his best screen performance ever. Eastwood raises his game to a whole new level. It's an explosive tour de force.… More
Clint Eastwood gives a brave, risky, riveting and incredibly powerful performance. Showing after all these years that he can still deliver an amazing portrayal giving his best screen performance ever. Eastwood raises his game to a whole new level. It's an explosive tour de force. A performance that stands with some of his best work since Million Dollar Baby, Unforgiven and Dirty Harry. It's a truly superb piece of work for him as a performer and artist. A masterpiece, a strong and passionate film of redemption and forgiveness. An utterly original, wonderfully moving, wickedly funny, very powerful and heart-wrenching movie. An excellent movie, i loved it very much. It's one of those rare films that grabs you, touches you and takes your breath away in ways you wouldn't believe. An emotional and tremendous powerhouse of a drama. It's an knockout that's superbly crafted by it's star, he never fails to deliver a unique and exceptional vision to the screen. A terrific, sensational and totally unforgettable movie. Theirs life in it's darkness that heralds something really special and shakes you to the core. An intense, thrilling, exhilarating and action-packed film. If theirs something to say about Eastwood is that he is truly amazing and this movie truly rocks.
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I feel that the fame that this film received was mostly from hype. The story is good but predictable. Not the best eastwood film but worth watching if you're a fan.
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Eastwood gives one of his best performances in this commentary on life and death.
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Clint Eastwood is incredible. I love the way he has always shot his movies and the pacing... but wow, all the other actors are horrendous. They seem like they were hired from amateur acting groups. It really detracted the audience from the realism and the drama of the movie.
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Imagine a film with a 70's zeitgeist made today and you've got Eastwood's latest commentary on life in a changing America. The last hold out in a changing neighborhood reluctantly decides that the new kids on the block are American too, human, and so ... worth fighting… More
Imagine a film with a 70's zeitgeist made today and you've got Eastwood's latest commentary on life in a changing America. The last hold out in a changing neighborhood reluctantly decides that the new kids on the block are American too, human, and so ... worth fighting for. The inherent ideas carry this if not the execution and, of course, the grand old man himself.
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This is a joke right? Clint...come on. I see what you were going for but this film works only as a comedy. Any attempt to take this film seriously is quickly thwarted by the ridiculous and over the top dialogue delivered by an entourage of amateur actors.
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Eastwood himself does an unsurprisingly excellent job, especially considering that he has to singlehandedly carry the entire movie on his shoulders. The other main actors (Ahney Her and Bee Vang) are absolutely awful, and the dialogue is just as bad, with the exception of a handful of… More
Eastwood himself does an unsurprisingly excellent job, especially considering that he has to singlehandedly carry the entire movie on his shoulders. The other main actors (Ahney Her and Bee Vang) are absolutely awful, and the dialogue is just as bad, with the exception of a handful of well-timed humorous moments. In addition, the film is incredibly obvious and formulaic, thematically and plot-wise. Yet, despite all of these flaws, Eastwood's fierce role as the quintessential grumpy, racist old man makes Gran Torino worth watching.
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Eventhough it may be a little predictable and some of the supporting actors could use some acting lessons, Gran Torino is a funny, touching story with a great performance from Clint Eastwood.
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"Get off my lawn". Loved the message of this film. Loved to see Clint Eastwood be a hard head, then soften up and finally show some love. Good movie.
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Some have call it formulaic, predictable, sappy and over dramatic and I will not contradict them, but I had such a great time watching Eastwood doing his trademark gravely voice grumpy old man that I forgive him all the rest. If the old wise master of chiaroscuro buried his cowboy hat… More
Some have call it formulaic, predictable, sappy and over dramatic and I will not contradict them, but I had such a great time watching Eastwood doing his trademark gravely voice grumpy old man that I forgive him all the rest. If the old wise master of chiaroscuro buried his cowboy hat and pointed at the false myths and heroism of the west in "unforgiven", this time he clearly wanted to follow that same pattern with the macho cop-army man-dirty harry racist, neo fascist that he used to play in his prime years. Well done, old man, you'll always be the king of badass-es
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Clint Eastwood withdraws from acting (or so he says) with a bang. The role of the grumpy racist War veteran seeing his neighborhood going to waste in gang wars while surprisingly befriending the Korean family next to his house seems perfect for him. How his character gradually changes… More
Clint Eastwood withdraws from acting (or so he says) with a bang. The role of the grumpy racist War veteran seeing his neighborhood going to waste in gang wars while surprisingly befriending the Korean family next to his house seems perfect for him. How his character gradually changes from a bitter old men to a bit of a mentor and becomes more open minded is a pleasure to witness, and pretty amusing too, if you don't mind a lot of racist slurs. Ahney Her as the adorably sweet Sue is another great discovery of this film that lets you enjoy it's light-hearted moments before striking down with a tragic finale, that still makes sense just the way it is. A funny, touching, intelligent film that shows how important it is that Eastwood at least continues as director.
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Clint Eastwood was robbed of an Oscar. Not only is Gran Torino an amzing movie, its a truly heartfelt and inspirational movie to me. The plot is about Walt, an old timer whos wife just died and who isnt close to his family, but gains a friendship with a Korean boy and his family… More
Clint Eastwood was robbed of an Oscar. Not only is Gran Torino an amzing movie, its a truly heartfelt and inspirational movie to me. The plot is about Walt, an old timer whos wife just died and who isnt close to his family, but gains a friendship with a Korean boy and his family after he tries stealing his Gran Torino. But to protect his new family, he must save them from being taken by a gang of there cousins who are very horrible guys. This story was very good and it should have gotten more recognition. The intense scenes are great, and Clint Eastwood makes them even better. This movie has hardly any flaws and is one of 2008's best films.
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I consider Gran Torino a strong component to Eastwood's body of work. He seems to fire on all cylinders. Only the acting of dome its less celebrated stars needed some work. So many aspects of this film truly make it what it is, whether it be comedy, drama, or suspenseful. Good… More
I consider Gran Torino a strong component to Eastwood's body of work. He seems to fire on all cylinders. Only the acting of dome its less celebrated stars needed some work. So many aspects of this film truly make it what it is, whether it be comedy, drama, or suspenseful. Good movie.
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really good stuff once again from clint eastwood. full review later.
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"Gran Torino" is a suspenseful and gripping drama with lots of action .... directed, produced and starring, Clint Eastwood,as we all know him, in a perfect performance at his very best~!!!!!!
Following the death of his wife, and despite the insistence from his sons that he… More
"Gran Torino" is a suspenseful and gripping drama with lots of action .... directed, produced and starring, Clint Eastwood,as we all know him, in a perfect performance at his very best~!!!!!!
Following the death of his wife, and despite the insistence from his sons that he look into retirement living, Kowalski, becomes somewhat of a recluse, preferring to stay on his front porch with beer in hand, ranting on to his faithful dog Daisy about the dilapidation and influx of Asian people into his neighborhood..no-one can play such a cantankerous old cuss quite like Clint Eastwood.
one word for this movie AWESOME~!!! deserves a 5 star rating in my opinion
Read all 20 featured audience ratings
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