Monday, January 26, 2009

Gran Cinema

Went out with Will and Marc last night from school. We took in the critically acclaimed (and for once, correctly) Gran Torino, starring Clint Eastwood and directed by the same. If you liked Million Dollar Baby, you'll love this film. If you didn't like Million Dollar Baby because it was too dark or sad, you'll still love Gran Torino.

i know that every film out there now claims to be a moving story of redemption, but it could not be more true of any other movie. The movie tackles what it means to come to terms with a lifetime of mistakes and regret and make a few good choices before it's all over. Along the way, it tackles in a meaningful and realistic way, issues of racism, cultural boundaries and customs, morals, parenting, war, faith, and love.

Largely, this is a movie made up of relationships, much like Million Dollar Baby. What's interesting is that while Clint Eastwood is a part of almost every relationship, there are so many of them and they all contribute to an amazing picture. His relationship with his now deceased wife, his petty adult children and their even pettier children. His relationship with the Hmong neighbors, particularly their son, and also with his wife's young just-out-of seminary priest. Even his relationships with his old dog and beautiful, mint condition, 1972 Gran Torino come into play.

It's one of the best movies i've ever seen, and i highly recommend it. There is strong language and a great deal of racial epitaphs, but there is no sexuality or gratuitous violence. In fact, the violence is greatly downplayed and most of the movie is about the good and decent relationship forged between Clint and his neighbors. Only about 10% of the movie is as dark as the preview.

Good previews before the movie: Taken, The International. Also, The Soloist looks phenomenal, absolutely fantastic.

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