Clint Eastwood (classy, classy man) plays Walt Kowalski who is a widower and a man of his times. He has every prejudice going based on his experiences. His suburban Michigan neighbourhood has changed beyond all recognition, but Walt still clings to his traditional values. He is the grumpiest of grumpy old men, who is not happy with his family who want to send him to a retirement home (Clint in a retirement home - perish the thought) and his neighbours who are Vietnamese.
Clint's prize possession is his 1972 Gran Torino which he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbour Thao, a young Hmong teenager who is under pressure from his stupid gang member cousin, tries to steal Clint's Gran Torino and fails, Thao is made to work off his debt of shame under Clint.
Clint gets to know the and like the family, realising he has more in common with them than his own family. When Thao is pressured from the gang, Clint steps in to protect them. It all turns very tragic and sombre after the middle section.
I enjoyed this film very much. Clint is an accomplished actor (if you discount Every Which Way But Loose and the sequel) and director. It is also a very thoughtful film about the clashing of cultures and changing values.
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