Gran Torino, which may be Eastwood’s last film he says, is a near-masterpiece. The storyline of a hardened Korean War Vet who lives in a neighborhood and a time that has passed him by, is well-written and interesting. But Eastwood’s portryal of Walt Kowalaski as the hardened, bigoted neighbor in a city that’s run by gangs propels the movie to must-see.

Kowalaski really is a 78 year old Dirty Harry. It’s impressive to see the effect that Eastwood’s stature has on those around him..he strikes true fear into the gangs around the neighborhood. When he says “Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while you shouldn’t have ***** with? That’s me. ” You shake your head in agreement.

Kowalaski is alone after the death of his wife and spends his days sitting around dying, and cleaning up his Gran Torino. His Asian neighbors are the object of his racial scorn, and this turns worse as the young boy attempts to steal his Gran Torino one night.

You can guess what happens next as he begins to understand life from another perspective and gets to know them better. But that is only where it begins, and the film explores a lot about family, life, love, and sacrifice that you wouldn’t imagine.

Gran Torino has very brutal and offensive language, so be warned. And maybe it’s worth it, maybe it’s not for the purpose of the plot. But seeing Eastwood in this role after a series of stunning career accomplishments  is worth it, and as the real Eastwood reaches the end of his life, it’s sad to see this breed of human not around anymore, even with all their flaws. I wouldn’t cross him still.

Go see it.

* * * 1/2 out of 4 stars