Playing on how his screen persona has developed over the years, the 78-year-old growls viscerally at his disaffected younger relatives in his latest role.
Gran Torino examines the generational and cultural gaps that exist in our society with the precision of a scalpel.
Korean War vet Walt (Eastwood) lives on a moral code that no longer exists. He has isolated his family that enjoy the luxuries of 21st century life and lives next door to a Hmong family that he does not trust or understand.
As a result, he lives alone with only his faithful dog for company after the death of his wife.
But when a gang starts to threaten his neighbours, he is drawn into the Hmong family’s lives.
Ultimately, Gran Torino is a tale of redemption.
This racist old man finds peace in himself by helping others – you can almost see the character looking younger as the burden is lifted.
Another strength of the story is the pacing. Eastwood, who directed the film, allows the audience to laugh at his deeply troubled character in the first lighter half.
And when the themes become darker, so does the tone of the film, right through to the shocking ending.
Just like in his earlier films, Eastwood’s piercing stare is terrifying, showing there’s still life in the old film star yet.
In fact, following on from the brilliant Changeling, perhaps its fair to say the director is in the prime of his life.
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