Clint Eastwood Can Still Kick Your Ass!

Over the weekend I saw Gran Torino.
It was surprisingly awesome.
It's surprising because nothing in this film should matter.
It's about a grumpy old man and his neighbors getting harassed by a gang.
That sounds really pointless, doesn't it?
Yet from frame 1, Gran Torino lures you in in a very similar way to another favorite of mine
from 2008, Appaloosa.
The emotional impact of the film sneaks up and throttles you.
In that film, it was Viggo Mortensen's slow motion explosion that snuck up on you.
In this movie it's the WHOLE DAMN FILM!
Clint Eastwood is gold from the moment he growls at his grandchildren and their texting during his wife's funeral, their navel rings, and their unhealthy penchant for asking for his car when he dies.
Clint Eastwood then proceeds to tell them to go f*** themselves in a growly manner.
He hates everyone.
His stupid priest.
His stupid neighbors.
Kids these days.
His wife for dying.
His dog for being lazy.
Everyone.
A kid tries to steal his car in riveting sequence.
In the garage, the single bulb swings back and forth changing the lighting over and over.
Eastwood makes the kid work for penance while his sister slowly tries to win the old man over into peace, love, and harmony.
Except really not.
As much as I loved Benjamin Button, this movie does a far better job of conveying the "nothing lasts" message and displaying honest emotions.
You can make people cry without using the tool of death, Eastwood expertly proves.
My god, I love this movie.
Eastwood rocks and he owns Oscar with this, the best film of 2008.
(The Wrestler hasn't come out in the NW yet. I'm allowed to change my mind.)
See it,
Now