Student Film Reviews

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1. Erik Edwards 03.16.09 / 8am

   Don’t take these warnings to lightly; this movie was filled with more offensive politically incorrect racial slurs than any movie I’ve ever seen in the theatres, and I loved it. I couldn’t stop laughing through most of the movie. Clint Eastwoods delivery of his character, the bitter racist veteran Walt Kowalski, was spot on. Despite what seems like an endless list of character flaws, you can’t help but like Walt Kowalski; he has a rare ability to tell the truth no matter who it offends, and an inclination to do the right thing even if he doesn’t like the person he’s helping. The supporting cast was good, but through and through this was Eastwoods movie, and he made it a classic. This was the happiest I have been about spending $20 at the movies since No Country For Old Men came out a couple of years ago.
2. Gabby Wallace 03.17.09 / 9pm

   I don’t know where to start with this movie. This movie was absolutely fantastic and i don’t think Clint Eastwood could do better producing or being an actor in this movie. The plot was awesome and i loved all the characters. Clint Eastwood’s character was definitely my favorite though. He played his part perfectly. I don’t know how to put how much i loved this movie into words but i think i watched in 4 times in theaters. The bottom line is the story line is incredible and they film was suspenseful and interesting from beginning to end. This should be definetly be a greatly respected film.
3. Pamela Tang 03.18.09 / 11pm

   I loved Clint Eastwood and ALMOST everything about this movie. I shuddered and cringed every single time Ahney Her, the actress who played Sue Lor, opened her mouth. I wish Clint Eastwood had picked someone who could have performed this important role better. But other than that, the storyline and characters were great and the racial slurs did not bother me. The sudden change of mood was thrilling, impressive, and memorable. I like how this review states that those who are easily offended should stay away. I think this review sums up the movie very well for those who have not seen it yet.
4. Sam Hochwald 03.20.09 / 9pm

   I thought Gran Torino was one of the best movies I have seen in theaters in years. The film and its main character, Walt, dance a fine line between being completely offensive and being completely playful. It amazed me how Clint Eastwood portrayed Walt as such a unlikable character to start the movie and, without changing him one bit, showed him to be a lovable hero. His racist slurs become less offensive and more funny as the movie progresses. We see that he is not simply a racist to his Hmong neighbors, but that he actually runs his mouth at anyone he gets the chance to, including his family and few friends. Watching the film in a diverse theater was definitely an interesting experience for me. It was an experience you will not get renting the movie and watching it in your living room. At first everyone in the theater was shocked by the vulgar racism displayed by Eastwood’s character, but as we gradually saw the real point of the film which is overcoming prejudice and accepting others who are different, the mood of the audience lightened up, and even the asian man sitting next to me started bursting out laughing at some or Walt’s ridiculous remarks. I would definitely recommend seeing this movie, regardless of who you are or how sensitive you are.
5. Lauren Kuykendall 03.22.09 / 12pm

   The film Gran Torino by Clint Eastwood was very different than I expected. Walt Kowalski, played by Clint Eastwood, had a good life. He was a war veteran, married, had kids, and lived in a nice house. Over the years, Walt’s close community began to change as people died and neighbors moved away. It’s plain to see that Walt has little tolerance for foolishness, and now that he’s alone, there’s no buffer between his bitterness and the outside world. I thought Walt was a good character in the movie, and that the movie was very well constructed. Every action in the film has a consequence, and all of the main players have a pivotal role in affecting the development of the story. Although the film was very racist and vulgar, the main point at the end of the movie was very clear and understood. The movie seemed very slow to me, and I felt the whole point of the movie was to see the outcome.
6. Zak Edgington 06.24.09 / 10am

   Gran Torino was on of the most powerful movies I have ever seen. You know you have a good movie when your sitting in the theaters laughing the entire time, and at the end when the credits role, almost every woman has tears in their eyes. This movie had a lot of funny jokes and classic humor that made me bust out laughing. But, this movie also had a deep message of racial differences and growing up. Walt actually makes the biggest change of any character. He went from killing Asian people in the war, to saving his neighbor Thauo. At the start of the movie, Walt would never have done anything to help out anyone other then his own race. Walt dies a changed man, and it shows that know matter who someone is, they can always change, and that all people regardless of race should be able to live together in peace and happiness.
7. Jenna Cohen 07.03.09 / 6pm

   Let’s just say that I did NOT want to watch this film. I have never watched a Clint Eastwood Film and had no interest of watching a film with and older man being the one only known actor. I entered the theater with a frown on my face and left with a smile. Being forced to go see it with my father I ended up seeing it and was stunned on many different counts. First off, I was more than impressed of Clint Eastwood performance, what a phenomenal actor. Second, I was suprisingly interested in the ENTIRE story line. Third, this is my favorite film of 2009. This film made me laugh on the humor that was displayed throughout the film and cry with the dramatic plot. This movie dealt with a race and gang violence I was unfamilar with and gave me a chance to think of how this is a real problem in society. It is mapped out well of jhow Clint Eastwoods character of a bitter, cold man morph into not just a hero, but a loved hero. It is unexpectingly funny and a touching film. This movie makes people learn, just like myself, on important issues we should take notice of. I enjoy the fact that it is a learning experience to watch this film. It is refreshing to see unknown actors to perform with a well known iconic figure, Clint Eastwood. I believe that anyone who wants to watch a movie that is greatly fulfilling, this is the one to choose.
8. Zachary Peterson 07.06.09 / 7pm

   Gran Torino is truly a fantastic film. It had all the qualities that a movie needs to be great. Clint Eastwood played the role of Walt perfectly and the plot and storyline were grasping the audience the entire time. The film was very funny throughout, yet still breaking your heart at the end. The film had plenty of drama, action and comedy. Clint Eastwood built himself up as a character that the viewers really care about. He did speak many racial slurs, but because he was the “old guy on the block” they eventually came off as lighthearted. The bond that Walt formed with the Vietnamese people in his neighborhood seemed so real and believable. To go from so much dislike to actual love for them is such a great transformation, and if anyone could show it perfectly it would be Clint Eastwood. He is still making excellent films just like he has done throughout his long successful lifetime.
9. Nick Greenwald 07.17.09 / 2pm

   Gran Torino was a terrific film and one of the best I have seen in recent years. However, this is due to the fact that I am not easily offended. If you are one who takes offense to racial slurs this is not the movie for you. Clint Eastwood plays and old grumpy retired man who is a Korean War veteran. His war experiences have made him extremely stubborn and close minded, to the point where he almost despises his sons and their wives. The war also made him an extreme racist against Asians. However, he meets a young Vietnamese boy named Thao who was pressured by a gang to steal his car. After some rough times the two become best friends and both teach each other many different important aspects of life. Thao teaches Walt, Clint Eastwood, more compassion while Walt teaches Thao how to become a man. At the end of the film Clint Eastwood gets shot to protect Thao, who he locks in a basement, from getting revenge against a gang. Clint Eastwood dies a changed man who now understands themes of friendship and love he probably hadn’t felt since his wife died many years ago.
10. Brad De La Fuente 07.17.09 / 10pm

    I have to dissagree with the origional post. I definitely would not call Gran Torino “hilarious.” There is subtle humor weaved throughout the movie to be sure, but just enough to keep it from being depressing. I think it is a really good movie because it is bold, because it bridges two ages of film, but mostly because it is a movie of with a powerfull messege of morality and bravery. It shows discust evolve into acceptance evolve into respect and even love. The bridge I mentioned was that between the Dirty Harry age and the current age. I really liked the father/ son bond that Walt and Thao had, they both needed one and other. Thao needed a father figure to bring him into manhood. Someone to keep him out of jail and out of the cemetary. Walt needed someone to fill that gap left when his sons abandon him, espescialy now that the only family he had left was his dog. Eastwood can still and will always be able to pull off the cowboy act.
11. Sam Houston Jones 11.09.09 / 12am

    Eastwood arguably pulled out the best act of his carreer. Eastwood, just like Walk Kowalski, is an aging hero who is looking for a powerful finish, and Grand Torino was the perfect fit. While I hope his acting carreer continues, I would not be surprised if this turned out to be his last time he appears on screen.
12. Hailey Miles 04.12.10 / 4pm

    Clint Eastwood did an absolute wonderful job at not only producing this movie to have such a profound ending, but his acting was also superb. He played his racial, yet endearing character so well that it was inevitable to not get chills running through your spine at the end of the movie. His very intelligent way at protecting the two Asian characters from their awful, gang-bang cousin in the end was an idea that could only come from a mastermind ready to give up his life for goodness of something else. As the original critic said, this film is full of racial slurs that are on-going and nearly never seem to come to an end, but I believe as well, that with a sense of humor it allows Walt to fully develop as a character throughout the entire movie. I believe that this movie had a very powerful message and was very engaging to the audience with the use of Walt as a character. Other times that were a bit more serious for instance was when Thao’s sister came him abused and raped by the awful Chinese gang. I believe at this moment the seriousness of racial issues was most prevalent and was the turning point of Walt’s final decision to sacrifice himself for the benefit of Thao and his family. Clint Eastwood definitely came out with a bang in the end, as an actor and as a producer as well.
13. Raymond Hollowell 11.19.11 / 2am

    This review took showed me a perspective I have never really looked at when examining Gran Torino. While I have recognized the humor in the movie, it is not the first subject matter I bring up whenever I talk about this film. Now that I have been open up to this idea, I feel as though it would be impossible to discuss this film without noting the humor that is ever-present. One particular aspect I would have liked to see expanded upon was the relationship between Walt and Thao. I thought this is what truly made the movie what it was. The growth between these two characters is the defining aspect of the film which draws me in again and again, at least from the big picture perspective.
14. B.J. Sepulvado 01.28.13 / 9am

    How are you? I find this film a slice of real life. Eastwood’s performance is acceptable, although throttled. I would have preferred him to really let loose. What happens in this American realm is
    strange, we see a movie and forget sometimes it was a mirror of how some of us treat each other. I say some of us, since many people refuse to be open to what we are doing to each other. Eastwood reminded me of a former SBSO Sheriff Sergeant, who went to Vietnam and came back with hatred for Vietnamese. Feelings must be engaged and flowing, irrespective of what others tell us we must feel. It is the action which alienates and unites us as humans. The feelings are like the sea, calm, raging and everything in between. Ciao, BJ
15. Andrew Stern 07.19.13 / 5pm

    I absolutely loved Gran Torino. This film, in my opinion, is one of the greatest films ever made. The story line of it was amazing and I loved how both of the characters dramatically developed throughout the film. I thought that the bond that they both had for each other was touching and I thought it was a greatly shot film. Clint Eastwood did a great job directing the film, as well as acting in it, and I thought that he played his role tremendously well. I thought that this film was powerful and would definitely recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a great story.
16. Shaylee Hall 07.26.13 / 4pm

    I loved this movie. This movie in my opinion is one the best movies out there. Clint Eastwood did an amazing job at not only directing this film but also staring in this as well. Eastwood is the definition of a man in this film. This film and man are truly one of a kind.
17. Gregory DiFilippi 06.09.15 / 1pm

    I found Gran Torino to be a great film. The characters are engaging and as events unfold you grow attachments with their struggles. It has elements of sadness, humor, and violence, which is portrayed in an unconventional way. Like your review points out, the humor is off color, but the themes that lie within this film are strong and emotional. The acting is spot on and the interactions between Walt, Thao, and Sue are what make this film. The story is unique and original plus you can feel with the character’s struggles and accomplishments. Great film.
18. Kimberly Vasquez 03.19.18 / 10pm

    Gran Torino (Clint Eastwood,2008) by far has one of the best screenplays i’ve seen in film my whole life. Yes the racial bias slurs that go on throughout the film with the actors is a lot to digest but what great movie doesn’t create controversy? In my opinion without it wouldn’t be so impactful and real as it should be. Like for instance The Birth of a Nation created disagreements between audiences nationwide because of its racist views but it is still talked about to this day for its development of film techniques and the grand scale of the battle sequence. Although these two films hold nothing in common the controversy is apparent and people will hold a lot of opinion but it does not make it any less of a work of art. Clint Eastwood playing Walt is such a unique character that I believe most of us have experienced or will experience in our lifetime a person like him with his qualities such as being stubborn, racist, and with an overall tough guy persona. He is relatable thus becoming transcending in film history.
19. Benjamin Weir 03.02.21 / 2pm

    Gran Torino is a great Clint Eastwood film and shows quite a bit more character development and touchingness than many of his earlier films. Despite the main character, Walt, being brutally racist, sexist, etc, we see him change from a grumpy man saddened by his wife’s death, to a man willing to accept others. There is plenty of humor along the way, but it is also important to examine the emotional struggles of Walt who is seen as a grumpy and unemotional man at the beginning of the movie. As the movie continues, Walt begins to reveal his admiration and love for the Hmong people, especially his neighbors, Thao and Sue. This reveals that despite his extreme prejudice for many different groups of people, he truly accepts people who are good-hearted. His protective nature and selfless acts make you love Walt just that much more.
20. Eduardo Hernandez 06.22.21 / 10pm

    Gran Torino was a brilliant film in my opinion. Not too many films offer the perspective of a leading actor also being the director for the same film. I love how the film depicted the struggles and relations between different ethnicities by ultimately seeing each other as human beings and not enemies. This film was incredibly powerful through the acting and cinematography. It provided numerous styles of photography, crane shots, close ups, as well as tracking shots. The film acted like a mirror and peels back layers of our own skin to realize, after watching the film, how different people from different backgrounds can coexist in the same community. The film’s score included an amazing soundtrack by Jamie Cullum.
21. Andres Salcedo 03.26.22 / 4pm

    First of Byron great review on Grand Torino. Great acting by Mr. Clint Eastwood once again and all the other actors in this film. This movie fits in the Melodrama category. The situation in this film is about the widowed life of racist Walt. The film sets out to solve Walt’s racist nature and his relationship with his neighbors. In the end of the film Walt is getting ready for redemption as he know what the outcome is going to be and prepares himself for his won death but at the same time knowing he sacrificed himself to save others.

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