Gran Torino (2009)
4/5
The film begins with a funeral, and a sermon about the bittersweet qualities of life and death. Bittersweet is about as good a word as any to describe Eastwood's newest film; it is an exploration of life, both good and bad, and the discovery of beauty and friendship through pain and loneliness. Something I've always admired about latter-day Eastwood is the way he is able to light up a cast, making his surroundings extraordinary because of his presence. Here, a collection of unknown actors become special and sympathetic because Clint allows them to be flawed, allows them to explore themselves. The film is a selfless one, both for Walt Kowalski and Clint Eastwood. It is for and about other people; this is the poetry of his craft.
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