Gran Torino (2009) Rank 3 Reviews

Apollo Guide (Brian Webster)

An ideal platform for writer/ director Clint Eastwood to show the world that, at 78 years of age, he's at the top of his game. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Apollo Guide (Brian Webster)

BDK Reviews (Kevin McCarthy)

Anytime Clint Eastwood is drinking a beer, growling, killing people and just being a complete bad-ass, I am in! This character that Eastwood played in this film was very much like an older version of his character from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, exce ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at BDK Reviews (Kevin McCarthy)

Boxoffice Magazine

Over the course of his fifty-year career, Clint Eastwood has pulled the nifty trick of embodying classic American film iconography-then lasting long enough to deconstruct those very same icons. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Boxoffice Magazine

One Guy's Opinion

If you've ever wondered what Harry Callahan would look like in retirement, "Gran Torino" offers a fairly good idea. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at One Guy's Opinion

Hollywood.com

Although younger audiences may find the film's rhythms rather slow, the ultimate payoff is huge, and Clint fans are likely to eat it up. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Hollywood.com

Jam! Movies

Despite the title, Gran Torino isn't really about cars. It is, however, a story about a special make and model -- one Walt Kowalski, a furious old curmudgeon. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Jam! Movies

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Clint Eastwood delivers a stunning performance as an angry old man who begins to question his negative opinion about his Hmong neighbors. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Reeling Reviews

"Gran Torino" is a thoroughly satisfying, old-fashioned entertainment from one of our remaining American icons. As I sat and watched it, I couldn't help but mentally chant 'Cliiiinnnnnt.' There's no one like him. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Reeling Reviews

7M Pictures (Kevin Carr)

If you've had the grandfather from a different generation who didn't worry about being politically correct, you should find some familiarity with which you can identify. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at 7M Pictures (Kevin Carr)

Rotten Tomatoes

Old guys teaching newbies the way of the land without political correctness. Now if we could just do this in the schools. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Rotten Tomatoes

DC Examiner

Gran Torino is Clint Eastwood doing what Clint Eastwood does best. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at DC Examiner

Austin Chronicle (Marjorie Baumgarten)

Eastwood plans to go on making more movies, but it's doubtful any will be as satisfying a career culmination as Gran Torino. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marjorie Baumgarten)

Washington City Paper

Goes deeper than racial clashes and the opening of one bigot's eyes -- it's about letting go of your past, making the most of your present, accepting that the world now is not the world you grew up in. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Washington City Paper

Philadelphia Weekly

Way back in the 1980s, long before Unforgiven provided a status upgrade to American film's most honored elder statesman, Clint Eastwood was a marginal figure in Hollywood, working at a remove from the studio system, knocking out cheap-and-dirty, low-bud ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Philadelphia Weekly

ReelTalk (Frank Wilkins)

With his directorial duties and starring role in Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood reprises his tough-guy role we've all come to know and love so much. Only this time, his trusty steed is a Ford Gran Torino, his . ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at ReelTalk (Frank Wilkins)

Miami Herald

Walt Kowalski, the protagonist of Gran Torino, should be an impossible man to like. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Miami Herald

variagate.com

But see it. Don't be too critical. It will make your day. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at variagate.com

EmanuelLevy.com

"Gran Torino" contains healthy humor, is much simpler in narrative structure, and much clearer in tone. I will not describe it as a downright crowd-pleaser but as mainstream entertainment, which might broaden its commercial appeal. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at EmanuelLevy.com

Sun Online ()

Clint decides to do both jobs and again shows he has a mature grasp of film-making. It is an uncomplicated movie which makes its point very clearly. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Sun Online ()

Indie Movies Online (Kimberly Gadette)

Eastwood is perfect as a growling cur of a man attempting to keep humanity at arms' length. Yet he's lonely, concurrently playing games of 'keep away' and 'notice me.' ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Indie Movies Online (Kimberly Gadette)

Sunday Mail [UK] (Mickey McMonagle)

Overall this is a masterful piece of storytelling and a film which will rightly be regarded as a classic. Eastwood is on staggering form as an actor and equally inspiring as a director. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Sunday Mail [UK] (Mickey McMonagle)

Daily Telegraph (Australia) (Vicky Roach)

Gran Torino is to Dirty Harry what Unforgiven was to The Outlaw Josey Wales. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Daily Telegraph (Australia) (Vicky Roach)

ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)

Impressively directed, emotionally engaging drama with a strong script and a terrific performance from Clint Eastwood. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)

Empire Magazine (Angie Errigo)

Simply terrific, enormously watchable and an absolute must for all Eastwood fans. Gotta say it: this film will make your day. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Empire Magazine (Angie Errigo)

thelondonpaper (Stuart McGurk)

The film, about ageing and mortality, racism and redemption, is one of Eastwood�s finest: tender, tragic and funny in equal measures. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at thelondonpaper (Stuart McGurk)

NYC Movie Guru (Avi Offer)

A well-acted, compelling and engrossing drama. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at NYC Movie Guru (Avi Offer)

The Age (Australia) (Jake Wilson)

Interpreted by another director, Nick Schenk's script might have been merely a sentimental fable of a grinch redeemed. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at The Age (Australia) (Jake Wilson)

Daily Mirror [UK] (David Edwards)

Gran Torino features a grand performance by one of the greatest ever movie stars - it's as if Dirty Harry had never been away... ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Daily Mirror [UK] (David Edwards)

ColeSmithey.com (Cole Smithey)

"Old man Dirty Harry" is one way to describe Clint Eastwood's miserable racist character Walt Kowalski in what the actor and director says will be his last film role. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at ColeSmithey.com (Cole Smithey)

Washington Post [Ann Hornaday]

If you can survive the F-bombs and the near-constant ethnic invective, Gran Torino is not to be missed, if only as the gutsy, thoroughly unexpected valedictory of an icon fully willing to spend every bit of his considerable capital. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Washington Post [Ann Hornaday]

E! Online

Gran Torino isn't Eastwood's best film, but it could definitely go down as his weirdest. The freedom to say and do as he likes after half a century in Hollywood is all up there on the screen. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at E! Online

Sacramento Bee (Carla Meyer)

Gran Torino gives us an opportunity -- growing rarer each year -- to watch a national treasure for two hours. Make that a national treasure who continues, as a filmmaker, to challenge ideas about what it means to be an American. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Sacramento Bee (Carla Meyer)

Reelviews

Gran Torino is an amazingly over-the-top anti-racism parable but, despite its obvious shortcomings, it is nevertheless effective and affecting. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Reelviews

The Movie Boy

"Gran Torino," named after the irresistible classic car Walter owns, isn't always on sure footing-the movie's lessons about tolerance are portrayed with a sometimes unconvincing patness-but it is absorbing. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at The Movie Boy

ScreenDaily

Gran Torino is a plea for racial tolerance in the US but it is also a compelling story of friendship which lingers in the mind when the extravagances of Benjamin Button and Australia have faded from memory. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at ScreenDaily

Detroit Free Press (John Monaghan)

Ultimately, Gran Torino is not recommended for its moralizing or its scenery, but for Eastwood's compelling performance. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Detroit Free Press (John Monaghan)

Sean the Movie Guy (Sean McBride)

a mighty entertaining drama, anchored by a cantankerous-yet-appealing performance by Eastwood himself. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Sean the Movie Guy (Sean McBride)

Christian Science Monitor

This is among his lesser recent movies, which doesn't diminish its likability. In fact, it's pleasing to see Eastwood working the middle of the emotional register for a change. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Christian Science Monitor

Mountain Xpress

If anyone-anyone but Clint Eastwood-had signed Gran Torino, it not only wouldn't be positioned for awards, it would be dismissed out of hand as ham-handed, clunky and, frankly, amateurish. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Mountain Xpress

Cinematical

Its preoccupation with the burden and self-destructive ramifications of violence is given acute resonance by Eastwood's presence. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Cinematical

Waffle Movies

Gran Torino is good, but I can't figure out all of the Oscar hype. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Waffle Movies

Richmond.com (Mike Ward)

Eastwood is funny this time around. Sure, the crumedgeon isn't taking bouncy balls to the crotch like some slapstick hack or dressing up as a dozen fat relatives at the dinner table like Eddie Murphy, but he made me laugh popping off ethnic barbs. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Richmond.com (Mike Ward)

USA Today

Though you can see his character's redemption coming a mile away, Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino is still well worth the ride. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at USA Today

Los Angeles Daily News

Clint Eastwood collects and distills everything we know he is capable of doing on screen -- some of which we might wish he hadn't done, but most of which we love. Even if we might be a little ashamed to admit it. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Los Angeles Daily News

The Onion A.V. Club

As Eastwood heads toward a final showdown-framed with all the iconic weight such a moment has earned over the years-it starts telling a different sort of story, one about how times change, America changes with them, and not all those changes are for ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at The Onion A.V. Club

suite101.com

For many years now, Clint Eastwood's films have been looking backwards as a means of progression, utilizing tried-and-true means of classic Hollywood-style storytelling which, combined with a man of Eastwood's age and wisdom, have made for some particular ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at suite101.com

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Walt is a grizzled, gun-toting, 70-something retired autoworker and Korean War vet who proudly flies the flag in front of his well-kept Detroit bungalow and is so cranky and intimidating that, when displeased, he actually growls like a dog. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Seattle Post-Intelligencer

AskMen.com (David Nusair)

Clint Eastwood's steady directorial hand proves instrumental in smoothing over the few overtly ineffective elements within Nick Schenk's admittedly far-from-subtle screenplay. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at AskMen.com (David Nusair)

Seattle Times

If you can get past this special pleading, "Gran Torino" has much to recommend it, not least of which is Eastwood's enjoyable and slyly self-deprecating performance. And the supporting cast holds their own every step of the way. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Seattle Times

LarsenOnFilm (Josh Larsen)

Awkward as a social drama - as if Eastwood had only lately seen Boyz N the Hood - yet as another one of his meditations on aging, the movie is on to something. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at LarsenOnFilm (Josh Larsen)

Philadelphia Inquirer (Carrie Rickey)

I won't go so far as to say that Gran Torino, which struggles with Eastwood's eternal question of when - or whether - violence is justified, is art. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Carrie Rickey)

New York Observer (Andrew Sarris)

The results of all these collaborations add up to a genuinely pioneering production very much worth seeing for the emotional thunderbolt that it is. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at New York Observer (Andrew Sarris)

Reel Talk

Movies dealing with racism navigate tricky territory, and Gran Torino shows just how tricky it can be. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Reel Talk

Eric D. Snider

Though Eastwood the director is astonishingly active ("Gran Torino" is his second film of 2008, after "Changeling"), Eastwood the actor shows up infrequently these days. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Eric D. Snider

Denver Post

n "Gran Torino," the guy with the clutched heart is bigot Walt Kowalski, played with flinty reserve by Clint Eastwood in his first role since the 2004 Academy Award-winning "Million Dollar Baby. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Denver Post

Variety

Highlighted by the star's vastly entertaining performance, this funny, broad but ultimately serious-minded drama about an old-timer driven to put things right in his deteriorating neighborhood looks to be a big audience-pleaser with mainstream viewers of ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Variety

Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)

It's not necessary to be familiar with Eastwood's career arc to enjoy Gran Torino, but it does amplify the appreciation for the manner in which the topic of violence is approached. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)

Brian Orndorf

The finished film doesn't quite live up to Eastwood's typically magnetic screen conduct, but "Gran Torino" isn't concerned with a wide footprint. It's a minimal story of redemption, and a fairly successful one at that. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Brian Orndorf

LA Weekly

Above all, it feels like a summation of everything he represents as a filmmaker and a movie star, and perhaps also a farewell. "That," future generations of fathers will someday tell their sons, "is what Clint Eastwood was all about. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at LA Weekly

Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus (Bryant Frazer)

The genius of Clint Eastwood is evident in the fact that nobody else could get away with this. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus (Bryant Frazer)

Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)

He goes out as a hero. He can be forgiven if he goes out a little bit over the top. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)

DVDTown.com (John J. Puccio)

Clint Eastwood has become one of Hollywood's best and most dependable filmmakers. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at DVDTown.com (John J. Puccio)

Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)

It is familiar, but only to a point. Suddenly, that point is past and much more serious questions come up, questions of responsibility, of vengeance, of the efficacy of blood for blood. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)

newsreview.com

Korean War vet, retired autoworker, widower, ornery racist coot. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at newsreview.com

Colorado Springs Gazette (Brandon Fibbs)

Gran Torino was the biggest and most pleasant surprise of 2008. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Colorado Springs Gazette (Brandon Fibbs)

Comingsoon.net

A decent script and a buoyant performance by Eastwood is often marred by some of the weaker performances around him, and the erratic nature created by the movie's inability to decide whether it should be funny or meaningful. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Comingsoon.net

Metromix.com (Matt Pais)

Nobody growls like Clint growls, yet "Gran Torino" becomes a remarkably sweet movie considering half of it is the big man groaning and barking bigoted comments. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Metromix.com (Matt Pais)

SpoutBlog (Karina Longworth)

Of Clint Eastwood's two 2008 directorial efforts, Gran Torino is by far the "better" film, in that it's the picture that's vastly more entertaining and much less clumsy in execution -- although up against the monumentally ill-conceived Chang ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at SpoutBlog (Karina Longworth)

Salon (Stephanie Zacharek)

"Gran Torino," whatever its flaws are, is a movie about what America looks like now, and it posits that the work of living amicably together is sometimes hard but always worth it. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Salon (Stephanie Zacharek)

Film Journal International

The film proceeds from set-piece to set-piece: Kowalski rescues Thao's sister, Sue (Ahney Her), from punks on the corner, only to have her teach him a thing or two about Asian history (Walt fought in the Korean War); he takes Thao to the local barbersho ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Film Journal International

LA City Beat

Just seven weeks after Changeling, Clint Eastwood is releasing his second directorial outing of the year. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at LA City Beat

Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)

Modestly gripping topical urban drama. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)

My San Antonio

"Gran Torino" is a haunting drive through daunting territory. In addition, it should remind us that elders have lives and stories to tell just like young up-and-comers. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at My San Antonio

The Hollywood Reporter

Clint Eastwood delivers one of his rare comic performances in a film that otherwise doesn't measure up to his recent outstanding works. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at The Hollywood Reporter

Linda Cook

It's a straight-forward, well-deserved tribute to Eastwood, and a subtle tribute to The Duke. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Linda Cook

Time Out (Geoff Andrew)

The comedy-drama on release is actually a rather wise, insightful exploration of family and friendship, violence and vengeance. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Time Out (Geoff Andrew)

Orlando Sentinel

The racist, homophobic Dirty Harry Callahan has retired in Detroit. Sgt. Highway of Heartbreak Ridge may not wear his stripes, but he still keeps his rifle loaded. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Orlando Sentinel

Boston Globe

In the context of Clint Eastwood's career as a star, an actor, and a filmmaker, "Gran Torino" is an endlessly fascinating movie. If only it were a good one. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Boston Globe

BrandonFibbs.com (Brandon Fibbs)

Gran Torino was the biggest and most pleasant surprise of 2008, a film which, based on the trailer, I was not expecting to like at all. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at BrandonFibbs.com (Brandon Fibbs)

NewsBlaze (Kam Williams)

Eastwood takes audiences on a wild metaphorical ride with Gran Torino, as Dirty Harry looks set to clean up his act. Or is he he? Clint playfully keeps audiences guessing and on their toes, for the delightful duration. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at NewsBlaze (Kam Williams)

eFilm Critic

It's funny how nobody really seems to be in "Gran Torino" except Clint Eastwood. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at eFilm Critic

Associated Press (Christy Lemire)

"Gran Torino" becomes more intriguing as the journey its takes us on evolves and grows darker, albeit with Eastwood's trademark, no-nonsense aesthetic. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Associated Press (Christy Lemire)

Slant Magazine

If Gran Torino's climactic showdown is the erstwhile Dirty Harry's last as a leading man, conducted with a strategy at the polar opposite from the Man with No Name's, it's a final lament that the way of the gun is a guarantor of self-destructive pain. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Slant Magazine

New York Press

To insist that Eastwood's trite, B-movie storytelling is classical requires an excessive regard for junk. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at New York Press

MSNBC

"Gran Torino" is mostly a hoot, thanks to Eastwood's Archie-Bunker-with-a-gun performance. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at MSNBC

Houston Chronicle (Amy Biancolli)

Gran Torino is the most obvious and least interesting of the four movies [Eastwood's] directed in the last two years. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Houston Chronicle (Amy Biancolli)

The Scorecard Review (Jeff Bayer)

It's a well-crafted character, stuck in a bad movie, which is a back-handed compliment considering Eastwood produced and directed as well. Now it's time for a PBR and a cigarette. Man, Walt is influential. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at The Scorecard Review (Jeff Bayer)

San Francisco Chronicle

Clint Eastwood knows better than anyone else his meaning as an actor and his effect on audiences, so it's hard to believe he could direct "Gran Torino" without knowing how funny it is. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at San Francisco Chronicle

Montreal Film Journal

In short, Eastwood's latest is flawed at best, managing to make "Crash" look like "Do the Right Thing". ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Montreal Film Journal

Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Still, the strong, often unpleasant or upsetting language leaves an aftertaste to this character drama. It might have the best of intentions, but it's definitely not an easy movie to watch - even when the tone grows a bit lighter. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Deseret News, Salt Lake City

NY Daily News

The blunt truth about Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino" is that it shouldn't work: The script is often heavy-handed, the supporting performances tend toward the awkward, and the direction falls well short of Eastwood's subtler work ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at NY Daily News

Tulsa World (Michael Smith)

Eastwood grunts, snarls, curses and gives young punks the stink-eye with precision, playing his most racist character ever for entertainment and comic purposes. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Tulsa World (Michael Smith)

Newsday

In the end, "Gran Torino" can't quite decide what to be - a family film punctuated by violence and profanity? - but Eastwood's charisma goes a long way toward holding it together. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Newsday

Tony Medley

As Clint Eastwood has aged, he has gotten progressively enamored with death. "Million Dollar Baby" was his homage to giving up and ended in an Eastwood-approved suicide. ...read the complete Gran Torino movie review at Tony Medley

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Gran Torino (2009) Rank 3 Reviews

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