Rated R for language throughout, and some violence.
Directed by Clint Eastwood (Unforgiven, Flags of Our Fathers, and Million Dollar Baby)
Starring Clint Eastwood
A brilliant film that is not for the faint of heart…or the overly sensitive.
Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is a widower who holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Michigan neighborhood and the world around him. Kowalski is a grumpy, tough-minded, unhappy old man who can't get along with his kids or his neighbors. He is a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 Gran Torino he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbor Thao, a young Hmong teenager under pressure from his gang member cousin, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Thao's family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them from the gangs that infest their neighborhood.
Todd’s Word: Clint Eastwood is just so good at what he does, and at age 79, the very talented actor and director shows no signs of slowing down. Clint plays Walt perfectly. It’s as if Dirty Harry retired and “settled down” in your neighborhood. He is a mean, old, lonely bigot who becomes an unwilling neighborhood hero.
Jonathan’s Word: Emphasis on the word “bigot.” Wow. It’s a little tough to watch at times… I hope that people stick it through the entire film. It’s worth trudging through some of the mud and guck.
Todd’s Word: He definitely doesn’t hold back on the racial slurs. In one scene he gripes, “I have more in common with these gooks than my own spoiled, rotten family.” The saddest part of that statement is not the racial slur, but the truth of his family dynamic. Walt has never really connected with his natural family, and there is plenty of blame to go around. In one scene his son calls to see how he's doing, but his real reason for the call is to see if he can score some football tickets – Walt hangs up and curses. His granddaughter dresses inappropriately and text messages through her grandmother's funeral but then actually has the nerve to ask Walt to will to her his Gran Torino.
Jonathan’s Word: It was an intriguing glimpse at a dysfunctional family, through the eyes of this retired war vet, a man who under his sharp scales was soft and tender.
Todd’s Word: As good as Clint is, the biggest strength of Gran Torino is the script. Although it is a 1 hour and 56 minute bumpy ride of rough language and racial slurs, it is a strong and powerful story that deals with some very difficult issues. The ending was a bit predictable, but I didn’t care because it ended so well.
Jonathan’s Word: I wouldn’t call it “predictable.” Without giving spoilers, let me just say, “I knew it would end on that note, but I had no idea how it would get there.” The ending actually surprised me.
Todd’s Word: This is the kind of film that I almost hate saying I liked. It’s not entertaining or even enjoyable; in fact it’s disturbing. But Clint Eastwood has given us another great film and I do think it is “Theater Worthy.”
Jonathan’s Word: On the contrary, I found the film very entertaining. The characters were gritty, but redeemable. The dialogue was rough, but real… definitely “Theatre Worthy.”
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Gran Torino deservedly earns an R rating with the f-word being dropped well over 50 times, a constant spewing of racial slurs and some gun play and violence. This is one of those films that parents could watch with their teenagers and discuss afterwards. Watching this film exposes kids to exactly what they’d see if they lived in that neighborhood.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):Q: What are the messages (or the message) of this movie?
A: People can change for the better. Good can overcome evil—but it usually requires courage. Justice can prevail in the end.
Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: There’s a fine line to walk. Gran Torino is replete with violence and bad language and over-the-top stereotypes, but there’s a ton of good stuff to glean from it. We can see that Walt is a man in search of spiritual redemption, which should remind us that all people—deep down—need Christ to make their lives new. We can be inspired by the courage displayed by not only Walt, but also by the young priest and the brother and sister—all of whom eventually break through Walt’s tough exterior. Their courage should inspire us to reach out to those who may seem mean or unapproachable. All four of those characters also stand up to evil, which should lead us as serious Christ-followers to do the same.
Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: Are there hurting, lonely, misunderstood people in your life? If so, then get to know them, spend time with them, be vulnerable with them as you show them kindness. Keep after them, even if they may hurt your feelings initially. Is there evil or injustice happening in your midst? Then be willing to show courage as you confront and deal with it, praying at all times for wisdom to know when a situation can become life-threatening—this is important. At all times, rest and draw from God’s power.
Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.