Review When Gran Torino was first announced that it would be Clint Eastwood's next outing it was (wrongly) rumoured that it was to feature the return of Dirty Harry.
But while there was no more of that iconic character, Eastwood has arguably managed to craft a new one in Walt Kowalski - a Korean war veteran who has recently lost his wife. Her last wish was for her husband to go to confession with a young priest.
Kowalski however has no time for such matters. Living with his dog, he leads a simple life - walking his dog, getting annoyed at his sons and grandchildren, maintaining his vintage Gran Torino and generally making racist comments at his new Hmong neighbours. It's only when he steps in to thwart his young neighbour from being attacked by a local gang that he begins to look at his own prejudices.
Only Eastwood could play this part and somehow get away with it. Some might find his constant racist jibes jarring but his performance is no doubt a towering one - the ending in particular is stirringly moving.
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