Last night I watched Gran Torino, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. It was released in January 2009. I must admit that I didn't think I was going to like it. I really rented it for Terrance - but ended up watching by myself. I've never been a big Clint Eastwood fan. The gravly voice, the grumpy sneer...never really liked his movies. This is the first one I've watched in a long time. I was very impressed with it.Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a recent widower and Korean war veteran. He is a grumpy, tired, racist old man that doesn't get along with his family, priest or neighbors. When his Hmong neighbor, Thao, tries to steal his mint condition '72 Gran Torino under the pressure of the neighborhood gang, Walt sets out to make a difference.
At first, I didn't think I was going to like Eastwood's character. His racist comments were annoying - yet as the movie wore on - he became endearing. Sue, Thao's sister, really breaks through to Walt and gets him to start caring about other people again. The local priest, with his doggedness, finally makes some headway with the closed-minded Walt. As the tension between Walt and the gangsters reaches a point where they attack the innocent, Walt decides to make the ultimate decision.
I have been watching these, borrowed from my sister for the past couple of months. I resisted watching this series for years! A series about a bunch of Democrats?!?! Why would I want to watch that?? I'm not going to agree with a thing they say, I thought. I.Loved.It! I loved everything about it...I wish it was still on the air it was so good.The West Wing aired from 1999-2006 and starred such actors as Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, John Spencer, Stockard Channing and Rob Lowe. It chronicled the two terms of President Josiah Bartlett (Sheen) and his West Wing staff.
I liked it because, although I did disagree with a lot of their political views, such as abortion and their health care positions - I liked their passion in which they worked. They had such love for their country and their president. Emily Proctor, who played Republican lawer Ainsley Hayes, had the best line, in my opinion..."Say they're smug and superior. Say their approach to public policy makes you want to tear your hair out. Say they like high taxes and spending your money. Say they want to take your guns and open your borders, but don't call them worthless. At least don't do it in front of me. The people that I have met have been extraordinarily qualified, their intent is good. Their commitment is true, they are righteous, and they are patriots. And I'm their lawyer."
I found myself loving these characters. On more than one occasion, I found myself in tears because of what was happening to these fictional people. When John Spencer's character, Leo McGarry, died (because Spencer actually died)...and I knew it was going to happen - I was sad. I rooted for their relationships, was sad when they had bad days, and laughed at their goofs.
What a great show. I'm only sorry it took me so long to watch it.
