The Essence of Clint Eastwood

In Gran Torino , Clint Eastwood brings his iconic character full circle

Settling a score with himself, Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino.

Walt Kowalski is, to put it gently, an old crank, given to growling and spitting like a distempered stray. He's a mass of gruff prejudices against the minorities who've moved into his Michigan town. When some kids brawl in front of his house, he brandishes a rifle and actually shouts, "Get off my lawn!" In any other movie, he'd be the sour comic relief or the monster's first victim. But since, in Gran Torino, he's played by Clint Eastwood, Walt is a stalwart man of the Midwest--the hero who has a score to settle. With himself.

Well into his fifth decade...

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