Now Playing: Gran Torino

Clint Eastwood directed, produced and starred in Gran Torino, a story about a racist Korean war vet living in a now-predominantly Korean neighbourhood. I'm going to be up front about how I'm judging this movie - not for its entertainment, but for its provocative factor.

I could see where this was going the minute he aimed a gun at his neighbours. (Watch the trailer - you'll see it). The story itself is a bit predictable, but I easily forgave it the minute people started talking (more on that below). The only thing that I didn't see coming was the last 15 minutes of the film, but even that - once it got going, I called it. So, don't go see this movie for its storyline - it's not a bad plot, but it's not a particularly good one either.

I've always thought directing and acting in a movie at the same time is a bit difficult. I know Eastwood has done this - and well - before; this time, however, not so much. Sitting through the credits, I asked my companion whether he thought the same thing as I did - that aside from the very natural exchanges between Walt and his Barber, everything else seemed a little... flat. Contrived. The script is actually quite good and the kids had their moments, but something was definitely missing. I think I'm going to have to blame this on the director not being able to coach the right mood out of his actors. I know, I know... Eastwood has directed really well before, so what's different now? Well, he's directed veteran actors before... these kids needed a little... more. So, don't go see this movie for its acting.

Why go see it then? I guess one reason is to see Clint get some of his badassery back while using some of the most racist (and yet hilariously appropriate) language I've heard in a theatre. Another would be to put it all in perspective, as GT is being lumped together with the other big players of the year. And it is with this in mind that I have to - and am compelled to - rate this a 3.5 stars out of 5.