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| Director: Clint Eastwood
Actors: Clint Eastwood, Brian Haley, Christopher Carley, Geraldine Hughes
Studio: Warner Home Video
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $6.63
as of 11/22/2009 14:48 CST details
You Save: $13.35 (67%)
New (38) Used (19) Collectible (1) from $4.25
Seller: pieceofmindbooks
Rating:  50 reviews
Sales Rank: 306
Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 116 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: 1000041156
UPC: 883929033171
EAN: 0883929033171
ASIN: B0020MKTOS
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: June 9, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 46-50 of 50
 The Seeds of Racism and Self Loathing Implanted by War June 13, 2009
Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Few films have been able to translate an aspect that war can have on surviving veterans - that aspect being the embedded hate for 'the enemy' that dominates the world view of those who have had to fight in the battlefields, a hate that too easily translates into generalized racism that persists throughout the life of the veteran. GRAN TORINO takes on this ugly issue and works it with such compelling force that just when the audience feels is cannot tolerate any more racial slurs a transformation takes place, opening a window to understanding and perhaps altering the poison of racism's effects on our American Family.
GRAN TORINO as written by Nick Schenk and Dave Johanson and as produced, directed and acted by Clint Eastwood is not a film easy to hear or watch in its early portions. Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) is burying his wife, only to return to his long term home in a neighborhood that has become a sanctuary for Hmong people (an ethnic group from the mountain regions of Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Burma who supported US troops and were evacuated to the US after the Vietnam conflict). Kowalski is a prejudiced bigot who loathes the presence of the (unnamable epithets) neighbors. Next door is a family that includes a young loner boy Thao (Bee Vang) and his worldly sister Sue (Ahney Her) - two young people caught up in the Hmong world where the girls go to school and become employed and the boys go to jail. Kowalski reluctantly befriends a gang threatened Thao and the neighborhood rewards him with endless gifts of flowers and food. Gradually an event secures Kowalski's attachment to Thao and Kowalski grows to understand and respect 'the enemy' - people who are genuinely kind and loving despite Kowalski's personality and lonely bitter veteran's life. The transformation of Walt Kowalski as played by Eastwood is genuinely touching and the way in which the movie ends is surprisingly sophisticated.
There are moments in this bumpy script that are so trite and repetitive and stereotyped that the film becomes almost unwatchable. But it is to the credit of the cast and Eastwood's direction that eventually the repeated verbal slurs of racial hatred make the resolution of the film even more powerful. There are many lessons to be learned by listening and watching this film, not the least of which is insight into the psyches of war veterans from all wars. Grady Harp, June 09
 no closed captions (wrong, there are captions) June 12, 2009
Eric Ratliff (Los Angeles CA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Correction! There are closed captions, they are in the language section as subtitles in English for the hearing impaired. Now I want to change my rating from 4 to 5 stars (but the web page won't let me edit that).
(original review)
I lose some of the subtlety of this film that I heard in the theater because there were no closed captions. This is a really great movie though! I am curious if the wide screen version has closed captions.
Wonderfully subtle portrait of a difficult, yet caring man May 17, 2009
Robert J. Crawford (Balmette Talloires, France)
22 out of 23 found this review helpful
This is a phenomenally good film about an elderly man who can come to see things in a new light. While I think it is too easy to describe him as a racist, he is of the glib, crusty, irascible curmugeon type. Indeed, he reminds me of my father - hard-edged and seemingly offensive (some people would get hurt and insulted, to be sure), but in fact with a good heart and natural nobility. Eastwood plays it with unmistakable charisma. I marvelled at the skill with which Eastwood pealed away layers of his character, from his crudeness to his soul-searching and ethic of community.
The situation is that, his wife having died and his sons alienated, he is wondering what to do with himself. He is rude to his Hmong neighbors, but comes to see them as truly worthy people in need of help and nurturing. His evolution from suspicion and a playful hostility with the Hmong grandmother are totally believable. In particular, he befirends a boy who is at a crossroads, even taking him to a barber in order to teach him how to trade manly insults. Their chemistry as it evolves is beautiful, to the point of bringing tears to my eyes. When his plans to help go awry, he hatches a very clever plan.
I watched this twice and was moved each time and noticed more detail. It is a masterpiece and an unusual story for Hollywood to do. Warmly recommended.
Gran Torino May 7, 2009
E. Stanton (Gig Harbor, Washington United States)
10 out of 13 found this review helpful
This was an amazing movie, it made me appreciate different cultures and I found the Clint Eastwood is getting better and better
Gran Torino is Awesome March 26, 2009
C. Pepka (Santa Barbara, CA)
8 out of 13 found this review helpful
This movie, is just great. It is one of my favorites.
You won't be disappointed!
Showing reviews 46-50 of 50
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