Gran Torino, the modern Outlaw Josey Wales

While sitting in the theater waiting for Gran Torino to start, I noticed that the theater was packed with forty and fifty-somethings. I shrugged it off, thinking perhaps Clint can no longer pull in young fans; or maybe that this movie was too "old fashioned" for younger viewers.

The movie began with a close-up of Walt Kowalksi, played by Clint, fixed in an expression of annoyance. That expression changes to a grimace and a growl as we see the object of his attention is his grandchildren who have shown up to their grandmother's funeral -- one in a football jersey and one in a short belly shirt, with her belly (and belly ring) hanging out. Ah, we collectively sigh, Clint is playing a hard guy -- and for Clint fans, that's a good thing.

Gran Torino is a classic Clint plot. So classic, in fact, that I would venture to call it a modern-telling of The Outlaw Josey Wales. Both films open with the Clint character losing his beloved wife. In both films he is very, alone. And in both films he becomes protective of a group who he previously had no use for -- in Josey Wales it's the Native Americans and in Gran Torino its the Hmong immigrants. The bad guys in Gran Torino are the ethnic gangs that torment his neighbors -- the modern version of the Confederate soldiers who formed gangs called "red legs" in Josey Wales.

So, Mr. Eastwood knows what works for him and he uses it. Gran Torino is like a classic western plot set in modern-day inner city America. Clint is the unlikely -- and unlikeable hero. And along the way he stands up to bullies, and gangs, and evil. Kowalski is a steely, hard, retired auto worker with the heart of a drill sergeant who tries to keep to himself and keep others away. Yet he can't seem to stop himself from helping the underdog. He steps in to protect his Hmong neighbors right after complaining about the smells that drift over from their cooking.

I should warn you, the movie is riddled with Kowalski's foul language and racist observations, which were shocking -- then funny. Kowalski's bigotry was universal; he offended blacks, asians, italians, his friends, everyone. Yet there was something liberating about laughing at him. And as he stood up to the gangs and the thugs he said things I wish I could say. Kowalski stood apart in a world of dangerous gangs, disrespectful youth, and predatory street thugs. He didn't back down to anyone. And for anyone whose been yelled at by some jerk half your age because you parked too close to their car ... Walt Kowalski is your kind of hero.

Gran Torino also follows the Josey Wales' pattern of great one liners, "Are you gonna pull those pistols, or just whistle Dixie?" Kowalski happens upon his Hmong neighbor girl as she's about to get raped by two black men and he pulls up in his truck with, "Hey, what are you spooks up to?" Not many 78 year old men could pull that off -- but Clint still has the mojo to back it up.

And Clint has the mojo to stil ltake chances. He acts and directs Gran Torino and you'll notice there's only one name on the movie poster -- his. Everyone else is unknown. Yet the acting is strong on every level, from Kowalski's estranged sons, to the Hmong neighbors and gang members, to the nervous priest -- all of them put in very good performances. Clint has gotten better as an actor, and masterful as a director. This movie captivated from the first scene to the last. And while it didn't end the way I thought it would, or wanted it to, I can say -- the ending was perfect.

And as I and the other forty and fifty year olds left the theater I had one thought, "This movie would definitely appeal to younger viewers." Although it is old fashioned. It is a tale of good verses evil, there is a man good enough to stand up and defend those who can't defend themselves and the hero wins in the end. And in the process there is a lot of really great butt-kicking!