Clint Eastwood's 'Gran Torino' is Hollywood's coolest car

Marketing consultant Terry Press had her 9-year-old son Ethan in the car when she heard the news that Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino" had made $29 million to win this past weekend's box-office derby, easily outdistancing movies like "Bride Wars" and "The Unborn" that are populated with actors less than half Clint's age. When Press got off the phone, Ethan, apparently having seen a host of "Torino" TV spots, did his best Eastwood impression, barking, "Get off my lawn!" In Hollywood, whether you're 9 or 89, everybody is a Clint Eastwood fan. It's pretty clear that when it comes to living legends, there's Clint and there's everybody else.

At 78, when most filmmakers have lost their fastball, been put out to pasture or are racking up posthumous awards, Clint isn't just still making great movies, he's still a big-enough movie star to open them all by himself too. It should be a good lesson for age-obsessed studio executives who'd rather toss their Crackberrys in the ocean than greenlight a picture with a grizzled old actor--or God forbid, a middle-aged actress-- in a starring role. Kudos to Warners, which not only released "Gran Torino" but at this same time last year bankrolled "The Bucket List," which starred Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, two 70-year-olds who are still considered cool cats, not just by older audiences but younger ones too. Studios seem to forget that when it comes to hipness, younger moviegoers are age-blind: When I asked the teenagers who make up my Summer Movie Posse last summer which actors they thought were especially cool, Freeman (who was in both "The Dark Knight" and "Wanted") got a helluva lot more votes than Brendan Fraser or Jessica Alba.

Actors love to go to acting classes. You only wish Clint would offer a class for today's movie stars in career management. Perhaps because he's old and wise, perhaps because he's one of the last actors to start his career as a studio contract player, Eastwood is one of the rare movie stars who knows what people want to see him do and what they don't. Press, who worked with Eastwood on several films in recent years, says "Gran Torino" offers a double lesson, not just about the perils of ageism but the benefits of actors knowing their strengths.

"Clint learns from his mistakes," she says. "After 'Paint Your Wagon,' you didn't see him do any more musicals. If you think about it, his character in 'Gran Torino' has a lot in common with his character in 'Million Dollar Baby.' He's a gruff, unreachable guy who resists getting involved--he just wants to be left alone. But then he meets someone who touches him, who gets under his skin and he's willing to re-engage in the world. And you get involved with the story because his character demands respect."

Why has "Gran Torino" struck a chord with audiences right now? Keep reading:   

As many critics have noted, in "Gran Torino" Eastwood plays a revisionist--or evolutionist--version of his "Dirty Harry" character, a character that feels timeless in its thematic simplicity. For all the hand-wringing by critics when "Dirty Harry" first surfaced (as I mentioned in a previous post, even the sainted Pauline Kael managed to misread the movie as some sort of fascist wish-fulfillment fantasy), the movie has endured because it captures the appeal of the old adage: If you believe in something, you stand up for your beliefs, even if they are unpopular by the standards of the moment.

"What people love about the character Clint plays is that he's a guy who says 'Go [screw] yourself' to all these nasty little thugs in the film," says Press. "I think the fact that he demands respect really resonates with moviegoers today. People are tired of living in such a disrespectful culture, a culture that has such a lack of manners and boundaries. Clint's character upholds tradition. You have to believe that's timely after we just had an election where people felt that we needed to go back and show a respect for simple, traditional values. Clint may not have a badge but when you look at him in the movie, sitting on his porch, he's the sheriff of his property and the neighborhood."

But if you want to speculate about why the film speaks to a mass audience, there's one other key ingredient in the equation. Once Clint's character in "Gran Torino" is moved to action, he no longer thinks about his own needs. He's a selfless hero in an era in which we're surrounded by the poison of selfishness, from entitled parents who only care about their own kids to greedy Wall Street bankers and investors who only cared about making a killing, no matter at what price for their investors, much less the larger society.

I think what Eastwood saw in "Gran Torino" was a story that had the compelling moral force of his favorite old westerns. (You could argue that his "homestead" in "Gran Torino" feels as if it's on the edge of the frontier, the frontier in "Gran Torino's" run-down Detroit simply being a more urban version of the Old West.) Once again, Eastwood gets to play the part of a man following his own moral code, much as he and his heroes have in westerns of earlier eras. The great Western heroes, from the John Wayne of "The Searchers" to the Jimmy Stewart of "Bend of the River" to the Eastwood of "The Outlaw Josey Wales," were the kind of intense, revenge-filled zealots who would've never made it past the studio development softening process, which would've filed away all their rough, often unlikable edges.  But, like the curmudgeonly old cuss Eastwood plays in "Gran Torino," they were real American men, full of as much anger and resentment as stoicism and steadfast sacrifice. They were reluctant heroes who, by willing to risk their lives for a greater good, found redemption. It's a quality you don't find in many movies today, but it's all there for the taking in "Gran Torino." 

Photo of Clint Eastwood in "Gran Torino" by Anthony Michael Rivetti / Warner Bros.

Comments

[ProtonDense]

..."because it captures the appeal of the old adage: If you believe in something, you stand up for your beliefs, even if they are unpopular by the standards of the moment."

Hmmm
G. Bush anyone. History may not ultimately favor the "hip" haters.

Anyway, very much looking forward to seeing this flick. Eastwood is excellent. Unbelievable at 78.

Best wishes

[K Phillips]

I just came back from seeing Gran Torino. You are right on target. Clint is so cool. What a great move...funhy, interesting and involving. On a Monday night in January, the theater was full. The audience ranged from teens to, well, people like me, OLD. When the movie ended there was actually applause and a lot of tears. I loved that movie.

[Bee Joe Thao]

Mr. Eastwood, my name is Bee Joe Thao and I will like to contact u some how but if u get to see htis message please call me (559) 455-9926 and I am very interesting to meet u as soon as possible please thank you.

[Connie Illig]

My husband and I went to see Gran Torino this past weekend and LOVED IT! I think his recent movies are better than his earlier ones! Great acting, directing, etc and always a message for all beneath the surface.

[bob404]

The fact that Gran Torino did not come through a studio development process (Clint wouldn't let it) speaks volumes. In the post credit crunch world, there are clearly big savings to be made here; shut down every development department in Hollywood and just take a few raw risks instead. Result fresher films and a lot less dross. Oh but the industry will collapse without the thousands of "projects" floating around that never get made but keep producers fat. Drat and darn.

[John DiStephano]

Wow... GRAND TORINO was my first trip to the movies in about ten years.
My son-in-law and I left the theatre speachless. We agreed we need to see Grand Torino again after we have a chance to 'digest' this film.
Amazing, wonderful movie. Clint at his finest.

Thank you Patrick Goldstein for nailing the review of this film and culture behind it.

[Sheldon]

As you say, Eastwood knows both his strengths and what the audience expects of him. In fact, he knows these things so well that he can use the two to stretch in subtle ways that both surprise and engage his audience, like he does with the endings of both Million Dollar Baby and Gran Torino.

He's so comfortable in his roles as actor and director that when he does something that's different, we go along with him - even as he cashes in the capital of becoming the neighbourhood hero in such a unique way in Gran Torino. To not buy into the character's choices is simply unthinkable. That's how good Eastwood is at keeping us with his character, even when he pulls the plug in Million Dolar Baby - and when he makes his final choice in Gran Torino.

There are very few actors or directors who are genuine masters and less than a handful who have mastered both disciplines. In each role, Eastwood is a clear master.

[Deelorean]

This was a good summary of the movie you wrote! I would like to add a that reason why this film reached so many people. The culture wars that we are currently in as Americans is sad. We have the generation born in the 40-60's making many mistakes with there kids. We have a boomer generations that gives there kids whatever they want to make up for how they grew up. The sad thing is that no one is taking responsibility for the times we are in. The confession scene was very powerful in the way america has taking shape.

[John Wright]

You are so talented,I'm at awe.

[Paul]

Firstly, Clint is awesome in this movie. It's definetly one to catch if you havent done so already. Now I would like to make a comment. The movie attempts to share some Hmong culture and show some Hmong traditions. I am Hmong, living with a huge Hmong family in Fresno, which is highly populated by Hmong and yet I feel 50% of the Hmong culture protrayed in the movie is inaccurate. Then again, it isn't some kind of documentary and accuracy is irrelevant in deciding whether a movie is good or not. In short, it's an enjoyable movie but don't rely on it to learn about the Hmong culture. Feel free to disagree. ;p

[Mary Fruhwirth]

I want to see this movie but have a silly question. Does Clint's dog get hurt or killed?

[Kathryn Ransom-Williams]

Mr.Goldstein, You write a good review, but with one exception. You state: "You have to believe that's timely after we just had an election where people felt that we needed to go back and show a respect for simple, traditional values." This latest Presidential election, was anti-tradition and is about change. We voted for a man whose racial heritage is mixed, whose mantra during the campaign was "Change". I have to disagree with your assessement of the Presidential election. Our country is in a state of "inclusion", no matter what. I think Clint Eastwood tells the story so well, that we should not be so blind as a nation, to ignore evil -doing for the sake of "inclusion". Doing so, is ignorance personified.

[kelly]

There's 30 years age difference between my nephew and I - and we each loved the film.

[Karl]

I for one thought this movie was hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing through the whole thing. I live in Cleveland, we don't have any Hmong here, but Clint's portrayal of a disgruntled old white guy was spot on. I was refreshing to see such a honest portrayal of life in the industrial midwest.

[Eddie]

I see everyone is jumping on the Eastwood bandwagon, but Gran Torino was not that good. OK at best, good rental. I can think of at least 15 better Eastwood movies.

[Catina Smith]

I just love Clint Eastwood no matter what I have been watchin him since I was a lil bitty girl is my hero i cried like a baby at the end of the movie those who watched it no what i'm talking about

[Dave Baker]

I think this is probably one of the best movies of the year. It deserves reiteration of the calibre and edge that Eastwood has indeed evolved into, and may even easily merit an Oscar. Although written by Nick Schenk, who developed the story with Dave Johannson, crafting a witty and gritty narrative that is emotional while being incredibly restrained- the mixture of context, both of the eastwood as a long standing icon in acting, and the character he displays is just wonderful.
I think the fact that I know that Clint is in dawning years, and since we are looking through the window of Gran Torino, it really gives it that magnetism.
Gran Torino serves as a reminder of things yet to come, things that hasn't been, or may never be- to almost forgotten heroes who still retain that edge and still delivers.
The last song in the end credits with Clint almost narrating the first few versus is just heart warming...

[Kelly]

I loved this movie VERY funny but yet VERY sad Clint Eastwood did a wonderful job and he is such a wonderful actor Thank you for doing it a again! lots of respect Kelly B

[RAGANI]

I JUST SAW THE MOVIE AND BELIEVE THAT MEXICAN GANGS AND BLACK GANGS DO INFLUENCE OTHER CULTURES TO MAKE GANGS AND JOIN GANGS. I AM SO GLAD CLINT EASTWOOD HAS THE HEART TO MAKE A MOVIE THAT IS REAL. WHAT KIDS ARE REALLY GO THROUGH AND PEER PRESSURE THAT IS WHY YOU SEE ALL THOSE KIDS ON THE STREET TODAY. I THINK THAT MAYBE THIS WILL OPEN PEOPLE EYES TO SEEING THAT BEING TOUGH IS NOT BY DEGRADING OTHERS AND YOURSELF. SOMEONE GIVING THERE LIVES FOR A GOOD CAUSE IN THE COMMUNITY IS WHAT WE SHOULD DO ON A EVERYDAY BASES

[Susan Harakal]

I am a loyal follower of Clint's career since his first movie and I think he is the epitomy of great talent and perseverence in Hollywood. This movie is true entertainment at it's best and he is certainly a force of good. He puts 130 % into all of his work and shows his real heart and soul. I loved it.

[greenbeagle]

I'm just glad to hear that the dog doesn't get injured or killed. That's the only reason I hated "I Am Legend." As soon as I saw the dog in that movie I knew they would kill the dog off, thinking that makes for a better movie. And for those who say I should care more about the people getting shot, injured, and killed rather than a dog - shutup. I'll feel what I feel and say what I want to say. If it's you or the dog - I'll pick the dog. Go hang with your bro', Michael Vick.

[phrage]

tired old formula eastwood has done this 20 times already. true grit meets dirty harry meets shane meets walter matthau. every disenfranchised middle aged white guys wet dream- i am still relevant and powerful and can find a reason to demonstrate my superiority to the blacks and orientals.
my ugly gas guzzler rust bucket car and my crucifixion at the end illustrate this. good song though.

[Kirby Smith]

Dear Clint Eastwood,

I am an old man that has been a fan of Clint Eastwood movies for many years. Not all were perfect, but all were good.
That is until Grand Torino. I suspect, that after you get over the shock of language, the movie may have had some merits.
I grew up on the west side of Salt Lake, considered a rough area. Spent 2 years military. Viet Nam ara. Worked some costruction etc. Never was I subjected to the vocabulary ,crudness and foul activity used in your movie. Is this a situation wher a poor plot and poor acting was to be off-set with bad lanquage. I hope the movie ended well as I had to leave. I go to movies for entertainment, not to be shocked, belittled, embrased. I sincerilly hope that this movie does not do well at the box office and is a finacial flopp. Will we ever get back to a trully entertaining movie?
Do you allow refunds?
Kirby