Go ahead...it'll make your day.

If this is, indeed, Clint Eastwood's final acting performance, then Gran Torino is the way to end the legendary actor's career. The biggest surprise being that he never won an Oscar for best actor. Oscar or not, Clint Eastwood's role as Walt Kowalski, a Korean War veteran who embraces racial stereotypes...and living in a cultural-rich, low-class neighborhood...written by first-time screenwriter Nick Schenk - with Clint Eastwood's superb directing, makes Gran Torino one of the best films I have seen in some time. Gran Torino, named after the highly coveted 1972 car that sits like a trophy in Walt Kowalski's garage, ponders the cost of violence and whether or not it has a place in society.

Walt Kowalski is a newly widowed, with a short temperament, that scowls at his Hmong neighbors...but his neighbors aren't the only ones Kowalski is short-tempered with. His grand kids, a young priest, and even his barber, all feel the wrath of his verbal assaults. It is hard imagining anyone else pulling this role off with such perfection. But I digress, Walt Kowalski, is most infuriated by the Hmong that seem to be invading his neighborhood. I would mention some of the terms he uses in the film, but it might not be allowed to post...so try to imagine a worse version of Archie Bunker - with "fish head" replacing "meathead".

That is, until, one of his neighbors, Thao (Bee Vang), is forced into his life. The Asian gangs have laid claim on this shy teenager and force him to steal the Gran Tarino in Kowalski's garage. This one event sets off a series of events which lead to a friendship that is equally beneficial to both, Thao and Kowalski. The young Hmong teen is given strength, courage, and conviction - the bitter old man is shown humanity, understanding, and compassion. This, in turn, leads to another friendship between the sassy older sister of Thao, Sue (Ahney Her) and Kowalski, that warms the old man's cold heart.

At first, it seems like that's all there is to the film...until a key event happens late in the movie that drastically changes its direction. Revenge, spilt blood, panic, fear, responsibility, all alter the tone of the film and delivers an ending that you'll never see coming. Only Clint Eastwood could pull-off an eighty year old action hero with a grizzly catchphrase "get off my lawn" that strikes as much fear in you as Dirty Harry's "you feeling lucky, punk" Gran Torino is a movie I highly recommend everyone sees...it will make your day.