Review: Gran Torino bluray

Clint Eastwood has filled a career with tough, uncompromising characters, and his Walt Kowalski in Gran Torino is no exception.

In fact, Walt – a bigoted Korean War veteran who lives isolated in a racially diverse, rundown Detroit – can be seen as a coming together of so many of Eastwood’s past classic roles.

The grunt and charisma Eastwood brings to the role steals the show, and reasonable support performances are supplied by Bee Vang (Thao) and Ahney Her (Sue). As the story progresses the audience is exposed to something of a thawing process. The extroverted, bold friendship Sue gives to Kowalski is his first step towards reintegrating with society.

Kowalski’s own grandkids are selfish ingrates, and the calibre of people that Sue and Thao reveal themselves to be is a real turning point for him.

The name of the film is taken from the classic 1972 car that Kowalski idolises and spends so much time polishing.

Clint Eastwood has said this role will be his final one, and he will now look to continue his highly successful directorial career.

Although Eastwood has recorded Academy Award wins for two movies he directed (Million Dollar Baby and Unorgiven), he is yet to score one as an actor.It is difficult to believe he won’t act again if the right role comes up.

The Gran Torino bluray is available now.