BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND TWITTER BACKGROUNDS »

Sunday, January 11, 2009

At the Movies

We saw the movie Gran Torino over the weekend and I haven't really stopped thinking about it. If you think the film is all about a car you're wrong. While the car was indeed beautiful (I love a pretty muscle car) it played a minor role and never moved from the driveway.
At first I wasn't sure if this film was for me. It was very hard on the ears. I grew up in a home where I never heard racial slurs and they're not part of my vocabulary. I'd like to think that I'm not racist but when it comes down to it, can anyone be completely non racist? While I cringed most of the time when Eastwood's character Walt was spouting his bigoted mind I will admit that a few times it was humorous. I think because of his delivery and the fact that it was so over the top. Honestly I can't believe that in the real world if a person spoke like he does, that somebody would eventually pop him. There was a woman in the theater that cackled every single time he said one. She was the only one laughing. Strange.
I read some of the comments on line about this movie and many people complained about the acting or the story being weak or not enough action. I don't think they were seeing the big picture. I tend to be the type that look below the surface of things in life and that includes the plot of movies. Walt was a lonely, unhappy old man who lived through some experiences that left him emotionally broken. He wasn't close to anyone except his deceased wife and his dog. His children and grandchildren didn't get him. He gradually sees people for who they are and he realizes his thinking is wrong. When the credits rolled I just sat there, not ready to leave. If you stay you will hear Eastwood sing a song written for the movie. I felt it had a very poignant ending. I won't write anymore but I do recommend this movie.

If you're sappy or emotional bring kleenex because I didn't and had to use the sleeves of my shirt like my kindergartners sometimes do.
One last thing, for being almost 79 years old, Clint Eastwood still is in great shape.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

My son was telling me about this movie. He said it was the best thing he had seen in a long, long time. That is something coming from a movie buff lol. I hope to see it soon.
I love Clint Eastwood.

Big Pissy said...

As you know, I ADORED this movie. I found the racial slurs amusing b/c they were so over the top. The crowded theater where I saw the movie erupted in laughter pretty much every time Clint would spew. LOL

The movie was absolutely so much more than about the car. That car was a symbol....a very powerful symbol.

Thanks for visiting my blog. :)

Rick Bettencourt said...

Thanks for sharing. I've been wanting to see it.