Basically an obvious vehicle, simply constructed, for Eastwood to play Dirty Harry at age 78. Actually, on a dialogue level, Gran Torino is far dirtier than Dirty Harry. Eastwood as Director, and Nick Schenk as writer, break most of the taboos of the industry – and in fact common social courtesy – in a rather cheap way of shocking the audience into uncomfortable laughs. There may be those for whom the laughs were comfortable – but you wouldn’t have them over for dinner.
The citizen vs. gang story holds no surprises. The cast is unknown, except for Eastwood, cutting the cost to the bone, and giving the flick all the dimensions of a home movie.
All in all, with this film Clint has cashed a free ride chip owed to him in exchange for his long career. Some will wish he’d have aimed a lot higher.
Screenplay by Nick Schenk
Story by Dave Johannson & Nick Schenk
Produced by Robert Lorenz, Bill Gerber, Clint Eastwood
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Cast:
Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Geraldine Hughes, John Carroll Lynch
Rated R, 116 minutes
Tags: Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino
