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Writer's pictureIssi Israel Doron

Gran Torino




At least from my personal experience, Clint Eastwood has gone a dramatic shift in the last 15 years. May be because of my aging or may be because of his aging - his movies have become, from my eyes - much deeper and way more interesting.

Gran Torino is an excellent example of this change. This is a 2008 drama which was produced, directed and starred by Eastwood.

The plot seems simple: it follows a retired assembly line worker and Korean war veteran, who was just recently widowed. He lives alone in what used to be a white working class community, but now is becoming dominated by poor Asian immigrants, The focus of the story is on his complex and dynamic relationships with his Asian neighbors, especially after their son, is forced to try and steal Eastwood's 1972 Ford Gran Torino, as part of a gang run by his causin.

I loved this movie: Eastwood provides an outstanding performance, and the movie as whole is marvelously directed and professional produced.

But more importantly, from a gerontological perspective, the movie raises so many relevant aging issues, such as: widowhood, loneliness, social support networks, family relationships, and much more. But for me, the most important aging perspective is about renewal and the ability to change and develop in old age. Eastwood portrays his hero as a conservative, cranky, individualistic, white old man. However, as the movie develops, is shows how even such a rough and rigid character, who wants to simply "be left alone", can be open to change and growth in late life.

Highly recommended !!

2008

USA

Director: Clint Eastwood

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ecW-d-CBPc

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