Ive tried to type this review in my head a number of times since I left the cinema, not b/c I need to get the seal of approval from anyone, nor b/c I feel my review is significantly important, I just want to convert emotions into words that convey them properly, and this is a movie that stirred up a lot.
I'll preface this by openly admitting I am a huge Eastwood fan, both as an actor and a director, he is one of the all time greats IMO. So if you feel that invalidates me, so be it.
Now is this Eastwood's best movie ? no, but it may be his best character and performance, not as iconic as Harry Callahan or The Man With No Name, but certainly richer.
Walt Kowalski is not really a racist, not in the true sense of the word, he doesn't befriend the Hmong family next door b/c he has a change of heart, he's a politically incorrect and bitter old man who has a lousy family and has lost his wife who was the only love of his life. He befriends them b/c they show kindness towards him and in return he shows them the good man beneath the cantankerous old bastard with a knack for an outrageous put down.
The themes explored within are pretty universal and have certainly been done before, however the effortless direction of Eastwood combined with his towering screen presence and the likable Hmong family he befriends kept me glued to the story. His relationship with Thao and his sister Sue are both warm and funny.
There are a couple of scenes that misfire, like the stupid white guy walking around the "hood" with Sue is a total misjudgment on Clint's part, as he seems to be from some sort of spoof movie, but he rescues it with his confrontation with the bullying would be gang bangers, spitting out the kind of dialogue that has made him an icon.
It's from this point that the film comes into it's own and certainly mirrors the last film of John Wayne's career 'The Shootist' to a degree. The relationship that is built between Walt and Thao is nicely done with simple things that make an altogether more important picture, the banter between Walt and Sue is a joy and newcomer Ahney Her is great opposite the grizzled vet.
Fellow newcomer Bee Vang who plays Thao does not fair quite so well, struggling in the heavier scenes to convey his emotions with total conviction, but Eastwood never lingers on it long enough for this to be an issue.
The build up and pacing is perfect as Thao and Walt grow closer, but the threat of the gang still hangs over Thao and you know the moment will come when things must be resolved. Now I will openly admit to getting a huge thrill from seeing Walt beat the snot out of the gang banger that burns Thao with the cigarette, but the aftermath with Sue was the scene that got to me.
Ive truly never felt my heart or stomach sink as fast as when Sue comes back to the house after the drive by attempt, you feel uneasy when she can't be found immediately but the mess she is in when she enters the room really shook me, and that sick feeling was replaced by anger and I connected into Walt's rage, I was baying for their blood as well, and it made me think of the age old adage of "Violence begets violence", very powerful and all beautifully done by Eastwood.
The finale will probably not appeal to the "Clint is a badass" brigade, but I knew it was coming, and yet felt that it was the right way to do it, mirroring my own reflections i mentioned above. The lead up to the climactic showdown is also like 'the Shootist' and when Eastwood finally comes face to face with the scum, his stance is classic Man With No Name going into one last stand.
The very last scene of the movie, accompanied by Eastwood's haunting and lethargic score, is a perfect cap on the story.
The film is not perfect as I mentioned above, and it is a simple and done before tale, however it is a film for me that sent me on an emotional journey and that is the greatest thing a film can achieve, I laughed, I smiled, I felt good, I got an adrenalin rush, I felt anger, I felt sadness and I questioned my feelings as I watched, and to me that is movie making at it's best.
If Clint never acts again then this is a fitting last performance and film from a true cinema icon.
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