Why is Clint getting dissed?
I don’t know if you saw “Gran Torino,” but it was one of the more redemptive films of 2008, albeit with the R-rating, violence, and language. I can’t wait to show the TV version to my kids.
Perhaps his peers are just too tired of seeing Eastwood nominated. Perhaps the Academy doesn’t want any actor of any caliber to always be taken as a given (remember Jack Nicholson’s “Bucket List” omission from last year?) Perhaps the serious questions amidst a racial backdrop just don’t flow in the Obamawanna feel happy momentum of this season. Perhaps Eastwood has reached that stage of life where campaigning for Oscar–or getting those clauses written into his contract–just isn’t a priority any more. Perhaps this film was just seen as another familiar Eastwood movie with a familiar theme, with Walt Kowalski appearing as simply another incarnation of the un-named Western Hero or Dirty Harry, just in a different setting.
I didn’t think so, and agreed with many reviewers who praised the film, including Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times who wrote “(‘Gran Torino’) is familiar, but only to a point. Suddenly, that point is past and much more serious questions come up, questions of responsibility, of vengeance, of the efficacy of blood for blood.”
Hollywood so often settles for happy endings to thin stories or poor endings to complicated stories. I thought “Gran Torino” presented compelling questions regarding the “vengeance is Mine” doctrine from the Old Testament, which is tough to do while entertaining at the same time.
And if the movie itself didn’t rate as grand enough for Best Picture, at least Eastwood could have been honored for how his portrayal made the movie relevant and alive. To that end I agree with The Arizona Republic’s Bill Goodykoontz, who called it “an unlikely tale made plausible almost solely by the quality of Clint Eastwood’s performance.
To a man (like Eastwood) who probably can’t even remember all of his awards and honors over the years, perhaps the omission doesn’t matter much to him. But Oscar nominations–and especially wins–often drive more people to the theaters, and this is a film I wish more people would see. It’s a compelling two hours, followed by lingering questions which are well worth asking.
posted February 3, 2009 at 9:31 am
My husband and I are in our early fifties and I don’t think that we have missed one television show or movie that Clint Eastwood has done. We saw “Gran Torino” and loved it! We wish that there were more Walt Kowalskis in this world!
I’m sure that Mr. Eastwood doesn’t care one way or the other about the Oscar, I think that it’s rigged anyway; most of the movies that they nominate aren’t worth watching.
GO CLINT!!!!!
posted February 3, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I saw Grand Torino. It was a great movie. It was very much the Eastwood style, that we all enjoy!! I can’t believe Clint Eastwood Being Shunned at the Academy Awards!! What is wrong with these people, have they been snorting too much coke?
posted February 4, 2009 at 11:40 am
clint eastwood is clint eastwood he doesnt care whay people think about his work . I seen grand torino IT WAS AWESOME!!! something I walked away with from that movie was how men and women that was in veitnam .felt about it . I was raised with a father that was in veitnam i remember the stories. Ithink clint should get many awards for this movie .
posted February 4, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Yes I’m very Please to see we have more christians oppions
posted February 5, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Gran Torino is another amazing example of Clint Eastwood at his best. Regardless of the language and violence,the story was realistic and prompted a few tears from this sixty six year old woman. In fact I would recommend it to my two young grandsons as an example of how things could be if we just cared a little more..
posted February 7, 2009 at 8:51 am
Clint is the greatest, and there are less and less of them.
posted February 7, 2009 at 9:03 am
I agree that this movie is absolutely fabulous and I tell everyone
I know to see it. Clint performance is compelling; the story line
unfortunately is authenic. I just love the way the negative behaviors and emotions were shown. At the end finds redemption
by giving his life for something hae had grown to believe in.
Ultimately, it’s a story of the power of love and how it
can really transform a human being.
posted February 7, 2009 at 10:56 am
Summing up the whole life of a great actor and grand person, GRAND TORINO shows the depth of Clint Eastwood in his maturity. This is a GOOD FRIDAY movie that should be sponsored by civic groups and Churches alike…mosques, synagogues, temples. There comes a time when violence threatens the planet and the whole human race, and that time calls for a major change in human behavior: enter nonviolence as an active player in our last chance to get it right in civilization.
Clint Eastwood has done us a great service in modernizing the Jesus story.
posted February 7, 2009 at 11:37 am
When people like Clint Eastwood are gone we will lose a great american. Many also believe the people making the award decisions are limp wristed men who would not a good film if it hit them in the ass. Take bucket list, it was also a great film. These people need removed in deciding what films are great and which are poor quality. Works the same for our politicians. Why does a millionare want to be in politics unless it is for political gain. Which he gets during and after his term in office.
posted February 7, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Gran Torino is a very moving movie about today’s world. Yes, there is language and violence but it tells a story of love, hate, compassion and forgiveness. Walter gave his life so Taun (sp) could have a life without his cousin and friends bothering his family. It is a must see movie.
posted February 8, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Never saw a picture with Clint in it that wasn’t great. His acting in this one tops them all. You could see how the family next door who were a mystery to him at first, gradually turned his cantankerous actions to feelings of interest, friendliness, and finally love. He knew he was dying, and he shortened his life by insuring his new friends would have a chance if their relative and his friends could be locked up. He deserves an Oscar for this one.
posted February 21, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Gran Torino is one of the best movies that I have seen in a long time. Clint Eastwood is a GREAT actor,he did a fantastic job in this movie. He is telling it like it is, this is the real world,unfortunately.People need to mind there on bunisse and leave other people alone. GREAT JOB! Lets give him an academy award for this movie, he deserves it.
posted March 3, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Hello. And Bye.