Gran Torino
This
film had mixed reviews but for my money is as good as anything seen out this
year. Clint Eastwood gives us a great
grumpy non-PC Korean veteran in Walt, forced to confront his wife’s death and
his new neighbours, an extended family of Hmong Vietnamese in his run down part
of 
He learns a few new things in
his begrudging way and he dusts down his old soldier skills and a bit of Dirty
Harry in the process. This film has much
to consider on many levels. There is
Eastwood’s own acting and directing talent – his composition of Walt is a
terrific characterization of a man of his age and experience and as a piece of
acting you seldom see the like. Then
there is the whole baggage he brings to the film from his career. The issue of who is one’s neighbour, of the
assimilation of immigrants, of the fading of old Yankee standards (the car Gran
Torino is a symbol of this) is another aspect as is the question of law and
order and protection of one’s property.
Add to that modern aspects of racism and the role of the church,
and the
humour of insults and you have a rich array of levels on which to watch the
movie. Bee Vang and Ahney Her are
satisfactory in the supporting roles
but this is Eastwood’s film with the help
of Nick Schenk’s cracking script. While
this may not be a masterpiece, it is a master class in characterization and
story telling and for that Clint deserves all the accolades he can get.
*
* * * *
Kim Ki-duk is one of Korea's most exported film makers and always has something to show and say. This time I was rather disappointed with his film about a cheated housewife who seeks solace by visiting a murderer on Death Row and brightening up his days with recreations of seasonal weather and music like a smitten schoolgirl who eventually succumbs to steamy sex. 
The gay subplot in the jail doesn't go very far either nor does the issue of what to do with the husband. What you do get is lots of silent characters and speculation. And the most interesting fact of all - the prison director allowing this hanky panky to go on like a faceless God is played by none other than the director himself. What does he want us to think by this? Zia has a certain attractiveness in the lead female role, the male star is Taiwanese and doesn't speak! Of some interest and style but that is it!
