I usually agree with your reviews but definately not on this one. I saw pretty much every big oscar movie from 08 and Gran Torino was by far the best.
I personally loved the movie but I agree with some of your points and I can see why someone wouldn't like the movie. clint eastwood was great and I found the movie really funny at times but yeah it does have it's flaws.
I completely agree with you. This movie is nothing special. While I loved, the supporting cast, while authentic, still gave high school performances. I thought it was rather predictable, maybe not exactly the last few minutes, but in how the character develops.
and 3:04, smiling represents embarasment or nervousness in the hmung culture, they said it right in the movie. another example, when tao is being followed by the mexican gang, he is smiling the whole time, not something to smile about.
I disagree with you in the sense that i think the film was masterfully directed in terms of sequencing and cinematography, but i do agree with you that hmong acting was awful and it really took away from the film. If they had experienced actors playing tao and su this probably would have been the best film I had seen in a long time. I think it is wrong of you to say that just because it is an eastwood film it is getting too much attention, because eastwood is one of the greatest living directors
oh, no. I'm not saying that Eastwood isn't "one of the greatest living directors", I'm simply saying that if this wasn't made by an experience//talented director (like Eastwood) that no one would be talking about it...it'd be another below the radar indie film or something...but cuz it's Eastwood, it's getting publicity.
no, i think i understood the "point" of the film...Walt begins as a racist, old man but comes to befriend a young Hmong boy and basically evolves into a human being and realizes what needs to be done to protect a new generation that may not have the protection they need. Trust me, I thought the ending was beautifully done, and I didn't "hate" it by any means but I just don't think it should be placed in any top 10 categories of the year.
I think you are still missing the point. The fact that it is Clint Eastwood acting/directing is significant. The fact that it is about a Hmong community is significant. The fact that he uses untrained young actors is significant. For me, this is a clear statement by Clint Eastwood. What I do find significant in your review is your emphasis on the movie not being "THAT special" or "WHATEVER story.
It is fine that you just don't like the movie as an opinion, but I am somewhat 'sadden' by what i am reading into your argument as to why, and you over emphasis to dismiss it. Perhaps you need to ask why you feel so strongly about dismissing it as pretty much nothing. The fact you view it as 'nothing special' makes me feel that more artists like Eastwood should make more movies like this so that it eventually is nothing special.
to me, if that's the "point" of a film, it shouldn't be approached in such a "jokey" manner. i mean, the kids show up to their grandma's funeral in a football jersey and a midriff shirt?! eastwood growls with comedic anger every time his son mentions a retirement home or when he sees the Hmongs next door. I just think that the first 3/4 of the film are an awkward blend of B-movie comedy and a serious character study, and then ends as a serious drama with a message. It just didn't work for me.
If you think he was racist and was suddenly turned by Su just being nice, then you have a very optimistic and unrealistic view of the world.
I'd think this entirely evident by the treatment of his friends. He called two of his close friends both racial names. If you think he hated his barber and the construction manager then you are sadly mistaken.
true, but the barber and the construction manager took it with a smile cuz they were friends...when Walt says "why do all the Chinese have to move into this neighborhood?" he's not being "friendly" and saying it in jest. he's serious.
It's a cultural rejection, not a proclamation of racism. Ignorance isn't hate, it's simply the lack of knowledge. And I'd think it a reach to call Walt ignorant anyway.
i didnt really think of Sue and Tao's acting to be "cring-worthy" (good word, by the way). I just wrote it off as dialect differences. I guess, for me, i just really got into the story, and the character of Walt. He reminds me of my own father, who fought in Vietnam. Your review was solid though, and i will watch more of them. Thank you for taking the time to read my comment. I look forward to more discussions in the future. Later.
I actually had the exact same thought about dialect. I think that has a lot to do with the way they delivered the dialogue. I personally really really enjoyed GRAN TORINO.
Ok, i will agree with you on the fact that the ending was very well done. Other than that, i have to completely disagree with your entire review. And we will see, come Jan., if it deserves Academy nominations. I personally think it will get Clint his first, and long overdue, Best Actor. But, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I also look forward to watching The Wrestler, it looks awesome.
you didn't find the acting from some of the Hmong kids...namely the girl at the scene with the black guys and occasionally from Tao to be "cringe-worthy"? i just feel like people are so ready to jump on the bandwagon of thinking this film is GREAT (cuz it's an Eastwood film). Although, I do agree that Eastwood getting an Oscar would be deserving, not for this film necessarily but just for his entire career! thanks for watching!! =)
I like this movie but I shall never watch it again... AHh the actors were Hmong...
Randyrhoads4lyfe 1 year ago
Great! I love Joshua Radin!!
311fob 2 years ago
I could not agree with you more, Gran Torino was not great in any sense of the word.
FligittyBiggity 2 years ago
Clint supported McCain...of course he is racist. ZING!
dramaking1211 2 years ago
I usually agree with your reviews but definately not on this one. I saw pretty much every big oscar movie from 08 and Gran Torino was by far the best.
rosebud569 2 years ago
Yer i guess movies are awesome.
I love movies but i dont manage to watch one a day.
Anyway its up to you.
Thanks for the reviews anyway.
pooupyournose 2 years ago
I personally loved the movie but I agree with some of your points and I can see why someone wouldn't like the movie. clint eastwood was great and I found the movie really funny at times but yeah it does have it's flaws.
jedsterg 2 years ago
It was nothing special, ending was predictable. Agreeable review.
Sputnik530 3 years ago
I completely agree with you. This movie is nothing special. While I loved, the supporting cast, while authentic, still gave high school performances. I thought it was rather predictable, maybe not exactly the last few minutes, but in how the character develops.
ReelCritics 3 years ago
Do you do porn reviews
hockeybum99 3 years ago
negative, lol
durden85 3 years ago
and 3:04, smiling represents embarasment or nervousness in the hmung culture, they said it right in the movie. another example, when tao is being followed by the mexican gang, he is smiling the whole time, not something to smile about.
aaronrister 3 years ago
1:30, that wasnt a shotgun he pulled, it was a military rifle.
aaronrister 3 years ago
I disagree with you in the sense that i think the film was masterfully directed in terms of sequencing and cinematography, but i do agree with you that hmong acting was awful and it really took away from the film. If they had experienced actors playing tao and su this probably would have been the best film I had seen in a long time. I think it is wrong of you to say that just because it is an eastwood film it is getting too much attention, because eastwood is one of the greatest living directors
tankerchamper 3 years ago
oh, no. I'm not saying that Eastwood isn't "one of the greatest living directors", I'm simply saying that if this wasn't made by an experience//talented director (like Eastwood) that no one would be talking about it...it'd be another below the radar indie film or something...but cuz it's Eastwood, it's getting publicity.
durden85 3 years ago
Gran Torino was epic.
ur a stupid little faggot with bad taste who plays bitch music in the background of his videos
scottison123 3 years ago
I think you missed the point of the film....
bluepanda009 3 years ago
no, i think i understood the "point" of the film...Walt begins as a racist, old man but comes to befriend a young Hmong boy and basically evolves into a human being and realizes what needs to be done to protect a new generation that may not have the protection they need. Trust me, I thought the ending was beautifully done, and I didn't "hate" it by any means but I just don't think it should be placed in any top 10 categories of the year.
durden85 3 years ago
I think you are still missing the point. The fact that it is Clint Eastwood acting/directing is significant. The fact that it is about a Hmong community is significant. The fact that he uses untrained young actors is significant. For me, this is a clear statement by Clint Eastwood. What I do find significant in your review is your emphasis on the movie not being "THAT special" or "WHATEVER story.
nguyen2 3 years ago
It is fine that you just don't like the movie as an opinion, but I am somewhat 'sadden' by what i am reading into your argument as to why, and you over emphasis to dismiss it. Perhaps you need to ask why you feel so strongly about dismissing it as pretty much nothing. The fact you view it as 'nothing special' makes me feel that more artists like Eastwood should make more movies like this so that it eventually is nothing special.
nguyen2 3 years ago
to me, if that's the "point" of a film, it shouldn't be approached in such a "jokey" manner. i mean, the kids show up to their grandma's funeral in a football jersey and a midriff shirt?! eastwood growls with comedic anger every time his son mentions a retirement home or when he sees the Hmongs next door. I just think that the first 3/4 of the film are an awkward blend of B-movie comedy and a serious character study, and then ends as a serious drama with a message. It just didn't work for me.
durden85 3 years ago
Clint was NEVER racist. You didn't understand.
AustralianStallion90 3 years ago
so calling his neighbors thinks like "chink" and "gook" isn't racist? if he's not racist, then you're right...i didn't understand.
durden85 3 years ago
No, he was never racist.
If you think he was racist and was suddenly turned by Su just being nice, then you have a very optimistic and unrealistic view of the world.
I'd think this entirely evident by the treatment of his friends. He called two of his close friends both racial names. If you think he hated his barber and the construction manager then you are sadly mistaken.
Walt was never racist.
AustralianStallion90 3 years ago
true, but the barber and the construction manager took it with a smile cuz they were friends...when Walt says "why do all the Chinese have to move into this neighborhood?" he's not being "friendly" and saying it in jest. he's serious.
durden85 3 years ago
Yes, he was serious when he said those things.
It's a cultural rejection, not a proclamation of racism. Ignorance isn't hate, it's simply the lack of knowledge. And I'd think it a reach to call Walt ignorant anyway.
AustralianStallion90 3 years ago
Clint isn't racist, that was part of the script. His role makes him a little "rough and tough"- clint is in no way racist~
fsxelal 3 years ago
Walt wasn't senile in any sense of the word.
captainadam1 3 years ago
i didnt really think of Sue and Tao's acting to be "cring-worthy" (good word, by the way). I just wrote it off as dialect differences. I guess, for me, i just really got into the story, and the character of Walt. He reminds me of my own father, who fought in Vietnam. Your review was solid though, and i will watch more of them. Thank you for taking the time to read my comment. I look forward to more discussions in the future. Later.
joecollinsx 3 years ago
I actually had the exact same thought about dialect. I think that has a lot to do with the way they delivered the dialogue. I personally really really enjoyed GRAN TORINO.
lelandb123 3 years ago
i actually really look forward to hearing what you have to say about it! i can't effin' wait for Benjamin Button to come out!
durden85 3 years ago
Ok, i will agree with you on the fact that the ending was very well done. Other than that, i have to completely disagree with your entire review. And we will see, come Jan., if it deserves Academy nominations. I personally think it will get Clint his first, and long overdue, Best Actor. But, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I also look forward to watching The Wrestler, it looks awesome.
joecollinsx 3 years ago
you didn't find the acting from some of the Hmong kids...namely the girl at the scene with the black guys and occasionally from Tao to be "cringe-worthy"? i just feel like people are so ready to jump on the bandwagon of thinking this film is GREAT (cuz it's an Eastwood film). Although, I do agree that Eastwood getting an Oscar would be deserving, not for this film necessarily but just for his entire career! thanks for watching!! =)
durden85 3 years ago