He was spitting up blood the whole movie. He had cancer and was dying so he sacrificed himself in order to save Thao and Sue and to put the gang away. Damn good movie.
My grandma died from Tuberculosis when my mom was 12. TB bacteria spread through the air from one person to another. When a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks or sings, TB bacteria can get into the air. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. Walt knew he was dying :(
Yeah, they kinda missed the fact that the haircut, close shave and fitted suit was him getting prepared to look presentable for his own funeral. Walt wanted to go out in a way that actually mattered... not wheezing and gasping for breath in a hospital bed. This movie showed how a lot of old guys actually talk. It's not white versus black or anything racist. They tease each other as much as any race. Whether you're Polish, Italian, Irish, etc... pretty much any group teased the others (and their own as well). They gave it out and they took it in. Especially if they were in the armed forces. Trash talk was a way of life. And guys like Walt look at the younger generation who are offended by simple words, as soft and weak... because they ARE soft and weak.
The only thing that made it a bit easier for me was knowing Walt seemed to be terminally ill so he didn’t have long anyway. Died doing something heroic instead of in a hospital bed.
Walt knew he was dying when he got the screening results back from the hospital and instead of wasting away on a hospital bed he decided to give his death some purpose. He no doubt thought the pain of a few dozen bullets was less than not doing something to help Thao and Sue live a normal life. A noble death.
Ya, but really.. he was dying.. didn't have long.. and he missed his wife.. just wanted to be with her again.. That's why he said he was at peace... Great movie.
I think it was amazing that in his will it stated "My FRIEND". It just shows that an elderly veteran who fought in the Korean War can really open his mind & heart.
You're saying Walt was dumb and cruel all his life? He was a hero who served his country and received the Silver Star for exceptional bravery in combat, he was living with survivor guilt and undiagnosed PTSD. I really can't stand the people who thought because Walt was a racist because he referred to people using slang.
I love how Walt recognized that the people he hated he had more in common with than with his children. It’s so beautiful to know that he found love and peace in his final days.
It’s important that people know, Walt wasn’t a racist in the sense he hated his Hmong neighbors. He didn’t understand the people around him but when it came down to it, he was closer to them than his own family. It only took him learning about them for him to accept them more than his own greedy flesh and blood, which is something he actually hated; selfishness, laziness, disrespect of the elderly or community members, disrespect of your own family, and violence, not taking pride in your belongings or public presentation. Those are the things Walt hates. He could care less about the racial aspects, he doesn’t know about the people, and sees certain things and assumes it is one of those things, like when he is grumbling about people letting their houses and yards decay or when he notices the kids disrespect that old lady and not help her.
It's funny to see younger generations reacting to this movie. Back in the day the way a man would show friendship and respect to another man, was like the barber and Walter.
I think Walt saw his sacrifice not only as saving Tao's family but as a meaningful way to die than from his illness. Dying this way meant something. As he said, he "fixes things". This was an honorable way to "fix" Tao's situation. His sacrifice was his way of saving a family he had come to love and who appreciated him more than his own family did, as well as giving his death a meaning that he saw as worth it. Instead of dying alone in a hospital, his sacrifice meant life for Tao and his family. He died with his heart full and with honor.
Amen, Bryan Ceja I couldn't have said it any better myself. People have become way too soft and sensitive and now we have the messed world we have now and the "racism" word is thrown about way too much. Walt helped Tao more than Tao helped Walt because Walt was rough and that's what Tao needed. Men no matter what race they are need to be taught how to be men because masculinity is under attack and if masculinity is under attack then it stands to reason the human race is under attack. And we need to stop seeing each other by our skin pigmentation and just see each other as members of the human family. People need to stop putting so much emphasis on names and learn to let them roll off of their backs. This movie has multiple layers and you can watch it several times and get something new everytime. This is a true masterpiece by the great Clint Eastwood. Stop being so sensitive about racially hurtful words like honkey and white trash used to hurt white or European humans and all the other racial slures that are used against other humans from other continents. Oops, I made another big long comment again didn't I. I guess I had a lot to say. Bottom line this movie I think is more relevent now than it was when it first came out because of the hyper PC and cancellation nonsense we have going on right now. A masterpiece of a movie. Maybe if we stop being sinsitive about racial slurs they will fade away. Calling people honkeys and white ... whatever is not constructive. I don't use racial slurs but it seems like right now they are being shoved down our throats. Anyway excellent masterpiece very relevent movie for our times.
Very well said, but it was even deeper than that (the great writing that is lacking in so many other films these days). It was as you said, but it was also atonement (in his mind) for the things he did in war. In addition, Walt was and will always be a soldier, this was a soldiers death. So his sacrifice in the end tied up three thread lines.
Was a damn good movie. This movie was filled with life lessons. No one is beyond redemption, and I don't mean religiously. I mean.. those boys, hopefully jail would have helped some of them. Maybe it will, probably it won't, but if you seek redemption it IS achievable. Another good lesson is that language isn't offensive by nature. It is up to you to take offense to it. Plenty of people here showed that the language being used, while crude and rude, did not affect the mental state of the people who were confident and comfortable with themselves. If language was offensive in nature, it would affect everyone equally. It very obviously does not. You can like or dislike someone based on their mannerisms alone, but people are often more than the superficial exterior you see. You don't have to give people a chance, but the more you do the more you will find people to be less reprehensible than you initially thought. One last message. Traditional values are not evil. They may be different, and sometimes barbaric in your eyes, but so long as they do not do harm to others and reinforce taking care of family or a community, they are more often beneficial than trying to fit in with others around like the troublemakers did. Be open to knowing who your true family is, even if they are not related to you by blood. Don't be afraid to cast out those who are blood related, simply because of that connection, if they are toxic to you.
The haircut - the shave. Taking daisy to the little grouchy lady (which i love - full of fire for her age 😊) the confession. Take it his new dr told him he wasn't going to make it. Tried to talk to his own son and - well we seen how that went. That's why walt changed his will - have his ungrateful family nothing and his beloved car went to the son he always wanted to help his family. He taught tao to be a man in such a short time. I bawl like a baby everytime i watch this and million dollar baby
I live 2 houses down from Walt's home. It's now a drug house. I turned their electric on illegally by climbing the pole and running a line to the box. In turn they look after home while I'm at work. The house is so busy selling rocks and heroin on Fri and sat nights there is traffic jams
The scene where Walt is asking Tau to help him with the refrigerator is an IMPORTANT lesson for Tau. I don't know if it was intentional or not but it was a good life lesson for Tau to learn when to stand up for yourself and WHERE to place boundaries on human interactions and behavior. Tau needed to be able to tell Walt the limits on his help, and the parameters of what he was willing to do, and what he WOULD NOT do. Walt growled on the outside, but on the inside he was HAPPY that Tau had grown some courage and displayed it when necessary. The fact that he gave in to Tau is evidence of that.
This movie broke me when I first saw it. Walt is a perfect portrayal of my Dad. A coarse, mean, Korean Vet who drank PBR and had a Zippo. But if he loved you, he would protect you to his death. A different sort of moral code. This was a great movie. 👍
Spoilers: One of the main reasons older Americans used to use nicknames for everyone is because we are a melting pot and people with unfamiliar names from all over the world found it easier to pronounce and remember nicknames than try to learn everybody's different names. The point of the movie is that superficial prejudices mean nothing compared to foundational values and character, and everyone is flawed. That next door Hmong kid needed to toughen up while Walt needed to let soften up. In the end Walt found more in common with the Hmong family than his own, and was willing to sacrifice his own life to give them a better chance at a more peaceful and prosperous future.
He was not being Racist, he called things as he saw them.. not tip toeing around feelings... Think yall are Ready for Blazing Saddles... a more comedic base of "slurs"...but truly an anti-slur based message
He needs to be useful. Pls review. 1 secondhand lions. Funny and inspirational. 2 Something the Lord made. The true story of viven Thomas and the first heart surgery on an infant with what was called blue babies. Heart warming.
I start bawling when he gives Daisy to the grandma. He gave his life for Tao so Tao could have a chance. Yes, it’s just one man doing that against an entire system. For one other person. The lesson is that the individual is the biggest minority in society. White red black or yellow.
Me too. A man does not give his trusted companion away frivolously. Clint tries to diffuse the sad finality of leaving Daisy with his neighbor with humor, but that scene still gets me.
i am 57. i have only watched this movie twice. after the first watch, i immediately purchased the "DVD". i got it so deeply the first time that i did not need to see it again but wanted it on hand just because. i did eventually watch that DVD a second time multiple years later with a friend that was having a hard time dealing with the hatred in this world we now live in. i believe he also got it immediately. thank you for my 3rd watch! p.s. that dvd is still on my bookshelf, waiting to be shared with someone else. thanks again
@@whatsupshittafabraans1926 Right? Clint, imo, has been better in the second half of his career than the first. Top shelf movies, both as a director and actor.
Walt found love and compassion in Su and Tao that he never got from his own kids and grand kids. They built a bond and you saw how that softened his heart after his wife died (she was the soft heart). I’ve seen this movie quite a few times and it still chokes me up every time.
One of the big points in this movie that you may have missed is that Walt came full circle. He says it in the movie about fighting in Korea. He got the silver star for a brave act, when he didn't feel brave at all or that he deserved it. He kept the medal locked away in a chest, and never displayed it. He explains in the movie he received it for shooting some other young Korean in the face, and that he felt he never deserved the medal. He gives the medal to Thao, simply because, he believes that Thao is brave, for resisting joining the gang no matter how much they torment him and his family. Thao's bravery to Walt is in resisting and always doing the right thing. Even when Thao tries to steal his car, he's a miserable thief and Walt understands this, never calls the police. He runs Thao through all of these tasks, which are somewhat humiliating at times, to test his metal as a person to always do the right thing. Walt sits on his porch and watches the moral decay surrounding him. He sees it in his neighbor not taking care of his home, to the gangs, to hoodlums, to his own children and grandchildren that have no self-respect, and even to a priest who Walt believes doesn't know the struggles of life. Walt understands that talk is cheap and to be a good person requires more than words at times. The scene where Walt is killed by the gang is evidence of this. Walt knows he is dying, he cannot stop what is coming, so in one final act he faces evil and doesn't flinch. Clint Eastwood's symbolism draws parallels between soldiers facing imminent death but fighting for what they believe in and the death of Christ. Basically laying down your life for others. The Army Cavalry lighter, being shown in his outstretched hand in the crucifixion pose, is an homage to soldiers who died facing similarly in battle. Basically put, throughout the movie, Walt resented receiving the medal. He didn't feel worthy of it. The other message which is clear at the ending, besides goodness prevailing through selfless acts, is that violence cannot defeat evil, but pureness of heart can. Thao wearing his Silver Star medal as the scene unfolds is that valor resides in being righteous and pure of heart. Walt gives him the medal, then locks him in his basement to prevent him from committing violence, I believe is proof of this. The Hmong people who fought alongside Americans in several conflicts, were sort of abandoned after the Wars and received persecution. Not sure if this was the message Clint was trying to deliver with his neighbors having no senior male role models portrayed in the movie or not. Many males of the Hmong people died in fighting during the War or afterward in persecution. I think both Walt and the Lor's harbored a resentment or feeling of betrayal. Clint Eastwood is really a brilliant director. The fact that he named the movie after an automobile, which was really a great touch. He explains that it was a car he built with his own two hands, which is why he held it in such high regard and cared for it. Essentially, it was a symbol of his life and his values. Many others wanted it, but were not deserving of it. At the reading of the will, Thao gets the car, with the stipulation that he will never change it from its purest sense, in other words, don't change or lose sight of what is already good. Tao smiles, because he understands the message from Walt.
Beautiful interpretation and as far as I am concerned Clint is a national treasure. I work in construction and I have a sticker of him on my hardhat. He is the man.
If you liked this movie, I strongly recommend another movie Clint wrote and directed called 'Million Dollar Baby'. Just as funny, heartfelt and touching with a stellar performance from the man himself.
I still have a hard time with that movie - and i just love Hillary swank. That girl does not get the credit she deserves. Praying she makes some kind of appearance on cobra kai
Great film. However, an even superior Clint Eastwood film is The Unforgiven, which won over a dozen Academy Awards, such as best direct, best movie, and many more. In it, you have the great Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman; I mean come on. It doesn't get any better than The Unforgiven for an Eastwood film.
Watch Million Dollar Baby, but I guarantee you won't ever want to watch it again. I'd go for The Good The Bad and The Ugly, The Outlaw Josey Wales or Unforgiven.
The fact Walt didn't confess his murder during the war to the priest during confession, but confessed to Tao says everything about his trust and friendship with him.
An excellent observation! You can't assess anybody's authentic character from a superficial evaluation. It takes time & different circumstances for people to reveal their true nature.
Yes that was Clint singing at the end of the movie and he also directed the movie. His son was the guy with Sue that was being hassled by those guys. Yes, Clint was dying of cancer and he gave up his life for his friend Thao by putting those guys in jail for killing a war hero. Gave Thao a chance to succeed in life. Clint's gruff voice....... watch Dirty Harry, an awesome movie from the 70s. Very popular at the time. Guessing he was in his late 30s when he made it. Voice not so gruff and he's very easy on the eyes. Clint was 92 this past May. Loved your reaction.
My father was WW2 soldier, wounded in action. All his friends from his regiment were lifelong friends. I grew up with a dozen Uncles who always looked out for me, just like you Rob. These men walked the walk every day of their lives. Great role models I’d say but the language they used was something else. Now I don’t agree with some of it but sometimes I think this generation is too sensitive. You can’t say anything about anybody. The enemy is not the words. The enemy is what is in your heart. At the center of this Walt had more in common with the Koreans than his own family. The Koreans had loyalty, family, tradition, things Walt didn’t happen to have in his own family. The good guys are not always the ones you may expect.
Just a minor point, they're Hmong, not Korean. Vietnamese refugees. Basically, their entire culture is here in the United States now. They lost their home and everything when we left Vietnam.
I think people misunderstand some of the language and misread the attitudes of previous generations that they may have never had any personal experience with. Life is hard and challenging, the focus was towards giving people the strength they would need to make it through when the times were tough. American in the early 1900's was inundated by wave after wave of immigrants from many different places and just about every group and religion at some point was the butt of some tasteless joke, but they did not care because they wanted a better life and did not have time to worry about what some yahoo 10 blocks over that they never met thinks about them. When JFK ran for president he was considered a bit dodgy because he was Irish and oh much worse, a Catholic and that was the 1960's. People are way too sensitive today. Victim culture has brought us to the point where words hurt. Words that often the young people being outraged were never subjected too because attitudes had changed by the time they came around. More importantly they give their (personal) power and strength away to people that they don't even know, that they should not care what they think, when they allow words to cause harm. Instead of teaching the younger generations that the only thing that matters is how they feel about themselves and these people spouting garbage at them are frankly irrelevant, we are teaching them to take these foul words onto themselves like they have any meaning and making them carry the cross for every generation that went before. That is beyond backwards. The people that came before bore hardships so that their children's children would not have to. Nowadays because there is this yearning to be a victim, to be damaged, to never move forward, we are telling the children that they also must carry that albatross around their neck. Words only have the meaning you as an individual accept them to be. People's opinions only really matter if you care what that person's opinion is in the first place. I am not really sure what happened or why we thought that it would be a good thing to send kids into adulthood with so little armor that it only takes an idiot wielding a word to cause them severe harm.
My Dad was like that. He was in the Korean War but as a radioman, so fortunately he wasn't in combat. But what he saw and heard, he never talked about. Just the good, goofy times. My Dad had no filter either. But in the end his heart was always in the right place. He might have given a slag against you at first. But if you needed a hand, if you were sick, or in need. He'd be the first to help out. I learned from his bad examples of what not to do. And his good example of what you should do.
@@OpenMawProductions While Vietnam has a significant Hmong population, they are a minority there. The Hmong are native to southwestern China, and most of them still live in China. So I don't think we can assume that this family, or any other Hmong family, necessarily fled to the U.S. from Vietnam.
I can't believe it's your first Clint Eastwood film. He's been in so many great films right from the 1960s to now. You've got loads of great stuff ahead.
This movie meant so much to me, My Dad was also a Korean War vet and also once drove a Gran Torino, and yes his personality was not too different than Walt's.
My dad wasn't as cold, but yes... same... they were a different breed, my friend. I didn't even know my dad was in any serious combat till he passed and I got to see his papers at the VAs office. The things they saw and did... changed them forever.
So much nuance to this film. He hits you in the face with boorishness, but he is multi-layered and complex. You know, like most humans. It’s shades of gray. Not black and white with regards to human emotions
A lot of people talk about how much Walt "changed" during the course of this story. I don't think so. He was gruff and insulting to just about anyone he didn't know (and even many he did know) until they earned his respect. In spite of his unfortunate bigotry, he was at heart a good person, which is the most important thing. But these days people get this backward -- you can be the most hateful and spiteful person around, but as long as you hold the "correct" views on race, gender, etc., all is good. But a guy like Walt is treated like a garbage person. There is a reason the left lost its shit when this movie came out -- they *hated* it.
@@savsmiles3042 There was a lot of blowback at the time about how the movie made a racist (i.e., worst. person. ever.) into a hero. Just last year, the actor who played the kid Walt helps came out and slammed the movie for being racist. Normal people love the movie. Activists, political types, and the perpetually-offended-American community, not so much.
How his children react at the very end when the lawyer is going through the will says it all. The son who wanted Walt to sell his house (so he could no doubt pocket the money) was visibly PISSED when the lawyer said that Walt willed it to the church. Then the granddaughter was salivating at the possibility of the car... Even if Walt wasn't the most emotionally available father (a lifetime of war PTSD will do that), we see that Walt was a good guy at heart.
@@AJR-zg2py His family only wanted to be there if there was something in it for them. Honestly Sue is my favorite in this movie. She was going to be there if he liked it or not. Her and Tao became the grandchildren we wanted and respected.
My grandfather was in the Korean War and he was the same way. He could say things that would upset people but you knew there wasn't any hate behind it. He was the first one to protect or help someone in need. We actually had a Korean family that lived across the street and my grandparents would babysit their son when they needed them to. People back in the day didn't get upset over every little jab or insult it was more about how you treated others and looked out for everyone
Exactly! My father would say things that would be considered racist today but he was not a racist. In fact, people often thought he was Armenian or Mexican because of his slightly dark skin (1/8 Cherokee). It is strange to hear racist things coming out of someone of color, although in my father's case, it was always in the form of a joke.
@@drdr76 " It is strange to hear racist things coming out of someone of color..." What? Why? Do you not hang out with people who aren't white Americans? It's as common if not more common than with white Americans. Spend some time in Chicago or LA.
I served in the U.S. Air Force in the Seoul, Korea area for 2 years in the 1990s and I still considered my stay there part of 'the Korean War" because you could tell, looking across the DMZ, that nothing was "over". The Korean War is known as "the forgotten war", as it is not given the same up-front treatment these days in the public eye like so many other conflicts. What really makes the Korean War unique is that it never actually ended. It exists in a state of endless tension, ready to break out again at any moment.
Walt always felt guilt for the life of the enemy soldier he killed when he was trying to surrender (the thing that haunts a guy is the stuff he's not ordered to do). In the end, he paid for that life, with his own, and saved the life of a young man caught up in a different kind of war.
When this came out on DVD the older Hmong guys and Vietnam Vets I work with passed a copy around for weeks. They loved it and it really brought a lot of people closer.
@@mikefish1124 nah...theres a difference between just a normal anti race movie vs wokeness...clint wouldn't do anything woke...if it was woke clint was gonna be a soft character
I found the Barber shop scene very touching, Where Walt was trying to teach his young friend the art of small talk. It its a very important skill to have to make it in the world.
John Carrol Lynch was the barber in this movie. He is great. He was also great in The Founder as the McDonalds brother, about McDonalds Restaurant, starring Michael Keaton as Ray Kroc.
That was one of the best reaction videos I’ve watched. Your appreciation and understanding of Walt’s character was perfect. The separate reactions of the two of you were great. How this movie manages to change the viewers opinion of Walt through the show is awesome. From an old vet myself, thanks.
Hi guys, this movie really hit home for me! I'm a Vietnam and Desert Storm veteran, and I know what it means to go to war! All those things Walt was going thru, I go thru every day, you just don't forget! I want to thank u for reviewing this movie, now I know a lot more people see what it feels like to take the life of an enemy, because that's what you were ordered to do! Again, thx for ur review!
"Dirty Harry" was the first of five movies in which he played San Francisco detective Harry Callahan. Another movie in the same vein as Gran Torino (where the main character has a poor relationship with her family) is "Million Dollar Baby"--it's another one that's definitely worth a reaction.
Clint has had an astounding career. He started as an actor, and he always had this tremendous presence on film. He was grounded initially in the western genre, which evolved into the "Dirty Harry" cop films, with Clint playing the iconic role. Clint played the tough guy types of roles for the first 20 years of his career. As he matured as an actor he began to stretch into other types of roles and movie genres, from 'Play Misty for Me,' to "The Bridges of Madison County." and eventually returned to the Western Genre to act and direct "Unforgven" which received 9 Academy awards, including a Best Director and Best Picture one for Eastwood himself. Clint is also a musician and composer, and has composed for many soundtracts, including his own. His films are iconic, and he iconic in them. He has great depth as an artist. He is truly a rennaisance man and one of the greatest filmakers of all time.
This man is not able to make a bad movie , he is legend of his time . Love all of his work . Everything what he has done was right on point , never failed .
Yes Amber - people can be that terrible... makes me want to move to your town if this much cruelty shocks you so much.... I love you two - you remind me that there are good people still...
Walt was dying, he was coughing up blood and still smoking it was only a matter of time for him, so he went out his way. Fun fact: The white guy in the scene when Walt first pulls out the finger gun is Clint Eastwood's son Scott. Other notable Eastwood movies are: Heartbreak Ridge (War movie) Unforgiven (Western) Million Dollar Baby (boxing) Trouble with the Curve (baseball)
This is an amazing movie and hold such great memories for me. My dad loved Clint Eastwood. This was the last movie by Clint Eastwood starring and directing that I was able to watch with him before my dad passed. You will cry Amber, but I will be crying right along with you.
"He's such a conflicting character." - one reason I love this movie so much. Everything about his "outside" says you aren't supposed to like him. But as the story unfolds, his true character begins to show through. It's a powerful transition.
So ironic that anyone who knows Clint can tell ya, he's no racist...I've seen him play piano with the NAACP jazz band on BET, and he;s helped many young black actors with breakthrough roles including Forrest Whittaker and Anthony McKie. It's so weird how unlike most movie stars, the older Clint got the better he got as an actor...Grand Torino is one of my top 5 from him all-time.
One of his absolute best movies is largely ignored and the only reason I can see why is that he wasn't portrayed as the quintessential bad ass, but as a victim. "Play Misty For Me" ('71) is a great psychological thriller and he excelled.
I always find it funny the type of characters Clint Eastwood a tough, speak you mind almost rightwing. Although he always says that he is more a libertarian.
Clint Eastwood is a living legend. There are so many great movies of his. I hope you get the chance to watch some of the others. He was of course famous for all his Westerns, "High Plains Drifter", "The Outlaw Josey Wales", then later the comedy movies, "Any Which Way But Loose" and "Any Which Way you Can", then onto the "Dirty Harry" series of movies, the Cold War thriller "Firefox", then later in "Heartbreak Ridge", "Unforgiven", "Pale Rider", "Letters From Iwo Jima" and on and on..."
Good Movie. The Wuss is his real-life son, Scott Eastwood. He's what, 92 yrs now. His first two movies were in 1955...in the second, Tarantula, he was a jet fighter pilot shooting at a Giant Spider. There's some videos of Clint on talk shows, I.e. Tonight Show-Johnny Carson 1973, if you want to hear him talk.
Y'all have to understand, Clint is the same generation as my dad. They grew up in tough times raised by tough fathers when there was very little interaction between races. My dad had a mouth like Clint but was not a racist at heart. They just don't express emotions. My father and I loved each other, he worked his ass off to give us a wonderful life. But he and I never said that we loved each other until his final moments on his deathbed. Even then it was difficult. Times are different and people aren't as hard as they once were. Love y'all.
I recommend "Hereafter", it's a hidden gem. Not only did Clint Eastwood directed the film, he also wrote and performed the music for it. The movie flopped in the US - not because it's bad but because 1/3 of the film is in French and Americans disliked movies with subtitle.
Remember when Walt got his first fitted suit at the end, it was for his funeral as he knew he would not survive. I love this movie. Happy you guys saw it.
The most subtle of touching moments is Walt's last conversation with Tao. The screen between them mirrors the screen between priest and penitent in the confession booth. Walt's true last confession was to his friend.
Clint has worked his way up through the industry, and you can tell. He knows himself and what an audience wants. To truly see how good he is as an actor to producer and director start from his early westerns. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly trio. His comedy's. Every Which Way But Loose and Every Which Way You Can. The Dirty Harry series and his other westerns Pale Rider and The High Plains Drifter. Unforgiven, WW2 comedy Kelly's Heroes, In the Line of Fire, Heartbreak Ridge and many many more. Honestly you could spend ages going through all the different genres of films he's been associated with. A truly great actor, producer, Director and anything else he's done. ( Even mayor of Carmel.) It certainly wouldn't be a bad thing to dip into more of his films.
Insults and slurs only hurt if we let them. Bigots and bullies use slurs because they know that we're afraid of them. The old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" still rings true. Even the nastiest slurs are powerless when we make them powerless. Show no fear. Have no fear. They're just words, and words are only as powerful as we allow them to be.
“You ever notice how you meet someone you just shouldn’t have F*** with”, well that’s me! Classic line, he reminds me so much of my dad. He’d say things that made you cringe, but he meant no harm, it was just how that generation was. Fantastic reaction/review, great job.
Same here, he’s so much like my dad was (even the same name, and we liked to tease him by calling him Wally because that’s what his parents and siblings called him, haha). Seemed to me like the mutual jabs at each other’s ethnicity (like Walt and his barber friend, ethnicity as opposed to race) it was both the generation and possibly depended on what part of the US they were from. Dad’s northern friends all talked to each other like that, but I never heard any southern friends join in, lol.
As a Progressive, I personally feel there is a message in this film that a lot of Progressives need to hear: But you said it first: "He'd say things that made you cringe, but he meant no harm, it was just how that generation was." It did not mean Walt was not a good person, it's just how he was. And with his actions he shows this. Americans on both side have begun believing people are bad because they say things they don't like. This may or may-not be the case for any given situation--but actions are the real way to track it and perhaps in the end should be the only thing that matters. Now we need a similar film with a latte drinking coastal elite showing they have humanity too--and forcing everyone to watch the two movies side by side.
Gran Torino was a Phenomenal Movie. it shows how most people's feelings can change if they spend time around Nationalities that they are unaccustomed to,this is a Movie Ican watch more than once and always react the same way.
My father was in Burma during WW2. I don't think he ever quite got over his feelings towards the Japanese after seeing what they did to the Burmese people. Some old wounds never heal.
@@cya6154 The average Japanese soldier came from crime riddled neighborhoods, rife with gang warfare and murder. Most of their soldiers wee societal trash. Ater the brutality of the streets, they were subjected to brutal military discipline, turning them into the most abhorrent creatures to ever walk upright. I know the stories.
I watched three reactions to this movie tonight and ive teared up three times lol. This movie blew me away when it came out. I was laughing immaturely at the insults then i got hit with a huge wave of the feels and togetherness. I love this film. Favorite Clint Eastwood movie.
One of my favorite Clint Eastwood movies is “In The Line Of Fire” where he plays a secret service agent. Also of the Dirty Harry movies are all awesome. A great baseball themed movie is “The Trouble With The Curve”.
Walt's rough, but he's the real deal. They were my grandfather's generation, they came up thru the Depression and WWII, they knew hardship and how to work, their word was their word, and they knew how to look you in the eye and shake hands. They fought wars full of blood and guts and mud and came home to raise their families. The were often blunt and they weren't poseurs, they were the guys you wanted at your back and keeping watch when the barbarians were at the gate. And if need be, they would give their lives to protect who they loved.
Well, my father was a WW2 vet and he was a jackass, abandoned his family and never paid a dime in child support. Veterans are not monolithic, they are a cross-section of America and contain every personality type. Vietnam veterans came home from Vietnam and were shunned, shamed, scapegoated and isolated by a nation of moral ingrates. Walt had undiagnosed PTSD, his real confession was to Thao through the screened security door, he told of killing an enemy who was trying to surrender and he shot him and has been haunted every day of his life.. War veterans carry the darkness of war forever for a society that has long forgotten.
@@davisworth5114 I agree with you but the key word is "generation" as there are always gonna be bad apples when you're talking about millions of people. The same applies to today's younger generation. I'm not a fan overall but I also know my two grandsons and most of their friends remind me of my generation who grew up during the 60's and 70's.
This was an awesome reaction to witness. The lady experiencing it as an opportunity for emotional connection with her man but fully appreciating the theme, the dude immersing himself in the both the theme and its intellectual implications. Genuine, great stuff.
Eastwood reminds me so much of my own father. They were both in the military during the Korean war though my father was an actual combatant. Eastwood made certain to visually reference several things only veterans or their families could appreciate that more fully explain Walt's character: army footlocker with battlefield decorations/medals (Silver Star, I believe), M1 Garand rifle, the kind used in Korea, Government Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol, 1st Cavalry Division cigarette lighter. My dad had similar memorabilia from his time in Korea though, like Walt, preferred not to talk about his experiences from those days and probably suffered from what is now called PTSD. Still, I really like this movie because it helps clearly highlight the difference between attitudes and approach to life of my parent's and the current generations while honoring the intelligence and courage of that generation now almost gone.
I highly recommend watching "Ben Hur" (1959) for your next reaction. It won 11 Oscars and is easily a candidate for the greatest movie ever made. It stars Charlton Heston playing a Judean prince. The movie is epic and had some of the greatest sets ever built for any movie ever, in addition to outstanding acting from the entire cast.
"The one who plants a tree knowing that they will never be able to sit in its shade has at least started to understand. the meaning of life" -Rabindranath Tagore
A great emotional reaction you guys. Sacrificing himself for Tao so he could have a normal life was very big. Other Clint Eastwood movies worth checking out are 1971's Play Misty For Me (a early predecessor to the psychotic female slasher films) and 1973's High Plains Drifter. Highly recommend them both. And of course Dirty Harry films.
When I was a little girl (and I'm a great grandmother now), I watched Clint Eastwood on a b & w tv show called Rawhide. He played Rowdy Yates. Then he had all the "spaghetti westerns" which were great too. Then came Dirty Harry! I've loved Clint Eastwood my entire life and so glad he's still making movies. You have to understand that when Clint Eastwood was young, the world was different. If you look up "cool" in the dictionary, you should see a picture of Clint!
Interesting Western surname you have there Anne, are you related I wonder (I’m sure you know what I mean)? I watched Rawhide recently (within the last few years) as I’m a big Western/Eastwood fan. What a great series, and still holds up today in some ways. Clint as Rowdy was a stand out even back then. It was pretty clear he was going to go on to be a screen legend.
The beautiful thing about this movie (one of the beautiful things at least) is that while it focuses on Walt and his prejudice/redemption, it really shows (to me at least) that racism isn't a one way street. It's a beautiful movie that doesn't get enough love, so thank you for reacting to it
This is truly a seminal Eastwood film. The emotional aspects will push you to the edge. And it's part of why he has been a star since the 1950s. If you appreciate his talent in this film, you owe it to yourself to check out Unforgiven, or In The Line of Fire. Or The Outlaw Josey Wales. Or have fun watching Thunderbolt & Lightfoot, or Any Which Way But Loose, or any of the Dirty Harry movies. Space Cowboys is another favorite.
Love this movie. Love the reaction as to how you got the twists and turns of the movie. Walt is old school. No filter, no PC. Says what he means. Very rare these days. The ceremony/ birthday hit a chord. After being stationed overseas, when you get old fashioned, Asian food, you don’t want to get up from the table. But the movie just shows how people can change. Another reason to love this movie for me? My first car was a ‘72 Gran Torino fastback the same color with the same stripe on the side. Loved that car.
Loved your reactions, this movie is a masterpiece. Most of the commenters miss one important point in the film: Walt said when he locked Thao in the basement and how he got that medal: he killed a young kid just like Thao in the war. Part of helping Thao and giving his life to make him safe was his penance...very powerful.
If you have not seen it, I think you both will like City Slickers. It has a badass old man character as well. It is a comedy with some drama and multiple character development.
My grandfather was exactly like that. He would cuss at us in German so he wouldn’t get in trouble with my mom. It was seriously just a way that men of that generation that saw war were to each other and everyone. They had extremely tough outer shells. But you knew he loved us. Also, one of my favorite little tidbits, the white boy in the gang situation with the girl, is actually his son! Watching this interaction makes me laugh because I doubt their actual interactions are anything like that! Makes me cry at the end every time!
The extra funny thing about his son having that role is that Clint Eastwood didn't actually cast him to be in that role. His son said his dad has never given him any extra consideration for being in the movies that his father produces or directs. He actually had to audition for the role just like everyone else! He had auditioned for other roles in his father's previous films but had been turned down in the past. He didn't even know if he'd gotten the part until they called him and told him when to come out for the filming.
He's got a long resume of movies as an actor to choose from, westerns or otherwise. But he's also got some really good movies as a director (Gran Torino was one). Also, when he first rolls up and rescues Sue, the kid that was with her is his son Scott Eastwood and the dog Daisy is his actual dog.
The great Clint Eastwood. Never saw this movie but it is so in line with roles he was drawn to play. He is most famous for his *the man with no name westerns* and Dirty Harry cop movies. Not only a great actor but he is also a great director. "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" is one of his movies you should definitely check out.
Can't go wrong with any Clint Eastwood movie. He's one of those actors who play their 'age' very well. You should check out 'Trouble with the Curve,’ which is a baseball movie he made 4 years after Gran Torino. It features Amy Adams as his daughter, as well as Justin Timberlake and John Goodman. Other movies to check out: The Outlaw Josey Wales, Where Eagles Dare, Kelly's Heroes, Heartbreak Ridge and Hang 'Em HIgh (to mention just a few). By the way, did you know that Clint was the director of Gran Torino as well?
The 1970s-1980s "Dirty Harry" series of movies transformed Clint Eastwood from a western icon to an action/thriller legend. And the cool thing about the series -- other than the iconic catch phrases that it introduced to pop culture -- is the character development we see Harry undergo throughout the series. A must-watch, at some point. (P.S. One of the films introduces us to Liam Neeson and a young Jim Carrey channeling Axl Rose.)
Because of all of Clint's tough guy movies, and his seemingly being mostly that in this movie, he was going to clean that gang house out. My only question was how would he get away with it, but then in the final showdown, I was confused. I was thinking, I know Clint/Walt is a bad ass, but he is standing in the open with no cover and against too many, Does he have a grenade launcher? How is he going to do it? It does not seem possible. Then I realized it was not possible and Walt went down and was shot too many times. As many realized, when I saw Walt lying dead in the shape of a cross/crucifixion, I realized he was sacrificing himself. He prevailed but in a non-violent and more effective way. He was absolving his past too!
This is one of my favorite movies. The way he sacrifices himself for Thao and Sue is so sad but beautiful. They became his true family because his real family were a bunch of turds😂. The only thing I hate is when poor Sue comes inside all beaten up.. I cry everytime
Walt was dying anyway so he went out in one of the best ways possible, he Sacrificed himself knowing the gang would be locked up. Him getting a clean shave, a new suite and going to confession was him preparing for the end. Some of the acting wasn't the best but overall it's a great movie. Some more clint eastwood movies of course are his Westerns One of my favorites is "unforgiven " probably best to watch after checking out some of the earlier Westerns though - fistful of dollars - for a few dollars more - the good, the bad & the ugly - pale rider - outlaw josey Wales And another movie that will hit you in the feels is " million dollar baby"
It took him decades to be able to pick and choose his projects. The one that really broke the door wide open for him was, in my opinion, Unforgiven (1992). I truly believe it's his masterpiece, and his final statement on the Western genre.
The good the bad and the ugly. Is an epic Clint Eastwood movie. Its a long movie but every single moment of this movie is absolutely fantastic. Clint was amazing in all the westerns he played in. After the western era of movies he started directing and creation some real masterpiece movies. Like Unforgiven. And also Grand Torino. And many more.
@@h91rex100 Agreed. I'd start with "A Fistful of Dollars", then "For a Few Dollars More", and finally "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly". Not exactly sequels nor same character, but they sort of fit together (Note how he ditches his overcoat for the sarape at the end of the last one in the trilogy, bringing things full circle, making the last one a kind of prequel).
I always pause to watch this movie whenever it's on T.V. I love the character arc of Walt, and how in the end, he lays down this life for his friends. Clint Eastwood has a ton of wonderful movies, ranging from Sergio Leone's classic "spaghetti westerns" of which The Good, The Bad and the Ugly is my favorite, to The Outlaw Josie Wales. His classic Unforgiven is a must see, as well as the amazing Million Dollar Baby! Take your pick and enjoy the ride!
Hey guys... a tough reaction to an incredible movie that gets me in the feels every time. Walt had been through things in war that no person should have to endure. This is a movie of redemption for Walt as below posters have mentioned. Once his wife passed he was a bitter and angry man and it took the patience of Sue to bring him back and show him there were still good people in the world - so much so he was willing to sacrifice his life for them. A movie that is on the top 5 of anything I have watched. Great reaction.
![Gran Torino (2008) First Time Watching [Movie Reaction]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_lyXdiE5tfA/mqdefault.jpg)
He was spitting up blood the whole movie. He had cancer and was dying so he sacrificed himself in order to save Thao and Sue and to put the gang away. Damn good movie.
My grandma died from Tuberculosis when my mom was 12. TB bacteria spread through the air from one person to another. When a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks or sings, TB bacteria can get into the air. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. Walt knew he was dying :(
Exactly, knowing he was going to die anyway, he chose to make his death mean something instead of wasting away.
The scene with the doctors letter saying he's terminal is key in this movie
@@ebooksmaster Did it say that? I could never make it out. It was strongly implied nonetheless
Yeah, they kinda missed the fact that the haircut, close shave and fitted suit was him getting prepared to look presentable for his own funeral. Walt wanted to go out in a way that actually mattered... not wheezing and gasping for breath in a hospital bed.
This movie showed how a lot of old guys actually talk. It's not white versus black or anything racist. They tease each other as much as any race. Whether you're Polish, Italian, Irish, etc... pretty much any group teased the others (and their own as well). They gave it out and they took it in. Especially if they were in the armed forces. Trash talk was a way of life. And guys like Walt look at the younger generation who are offended by simple words, as soft and weak... because they ARE soft and weak.
Such a sad movie. Walt sacrificed everything to make sure Thau never experience killing another person, as well as letting him have a normal life.
The only thing that made it a bit easier for me was knowing Walt seemed to be terminally ill so he didn’t have long anyway. Died doing something heroic instead of in a hospital bed.
Walt knew he was dying when he got the screening results back from the hospital and instead of wasting away on a hospital bed he decided to give his death some purpose. He no doubt thought the pain of a few dozen bullets was less than not doing something to help Thao and Sue live a normal life. A noble death.
lol...yes Shaine, they already covered all of that.
Ya, but really.. he was dying.. didn't have long.. and he missed his wife.. just wanted to be with her again.. That's why he said he was at peace... Great movie.
Please watch the following if possible: My Cousin Vinny, The Impossible ( cinematic excellence). The Bronx Tale and for old school vibe: Cooley High 👍
I think it was amazing that in his will it stated "My FRIEND". It just shows that an elderly veteran who fought in the Korean War can really open his mind & heart.
You're saying Walt was dumb and cruel all his life? He was a hero who served his country and received the Silver Star for exceptional bravery in combat, he was living with survivor guilt and undiagnosed PTSD. I really can't stand the people who thought because Walt was a racist because he referred to people using slang.
@@davisworth5114leave it to a white to tell minorities to suck up racism, typical.
I love how Walt recognized that the people he hated he had more in common with than with his children. It’s so beautiful to know that he found love and peace in his final days.
It’s important that people know, Walt wasn’t a racist in the sense he hated his Hmong neighbors. He didn’t understand the people around him but when it came down to it, he was closer to them than his own family. It only took him learning about them for him to accept them more than his own greedy flesh and blood, which is something he actually hated; selfishness, laziness, disrespect of the elderly or community members, disrespect of your own family, and violence, not taking pride in your belongings or public presentation. Those are the things Walt hates. He could care less about the racial aspects, he doesn’t know about the people, and sees certain things and assumes it is one of those things, like when he is grumbling about people letting their houses and yards decay or when he notices the kids disrespect that old lady and not help her.
Obviously he didn't hate them at all, Walt never committed an act of racism, period, and you are a snowflake.
It's funny to see younger generations reacting to this movie. Back in the day the way a man would show friendship and respect to another man, was like the barber and Walter.
I think Walt saw his sacrifice not only as saving Tao's family but as a meaningful way to die than from his illness. Dying this way meant something. As he said, he "fixes things". This was an honorable way to "fix" Tao's situation. His sacrifice was his way of saving a family he had come to love and who appreciated him more than his own family did, as well as giving his death a meaning that he saw as worth it. Instead of dying alone in a hospital, his sacrifice meant life for Tao and his family. He died with his heart full and with honor.
And he redeemed himself for his one life's regret.
Perfectly put
Amen, Bryan Ceja I couldn't have said it any better myself. People have become way too soft and sensitive and now we have the messed world we have now and the "racism" word is thrown about way too much. Walt helped Tao more than Tao helped Walt because Walt was rough and that's what Tao needed. Men no matter what race they are need to be taught how to be men because masculinity is under attack and if masculinity is under attack then it stands to reason the human race is under attack. And we need to stop seeing each other by our skin pigmentation and just see each other as members of the human family. People need to stop putting so much emphasis on names and learn to let them roll off of their backs. This movie has multiple layers and you can watch it several times and get something new everytime. This is a true masterpiece by the great Clint Eastwood. Stop being so sensitive about racially hurtful words like honkey and white trash used to hurt white or European humans and all the other racial slures that are used against other humans from other continents. Oops, I made another big long comment again didn't I. I guess I had a lot to say. Bottom line this movie I think is more relevent now than it was when it first came out because of the hyper PC and cancellation nonsense we have going on right now. A masterpiece of a movie. Maybe if we stop being sinsitive about racial slurs they will fade away. Calling people honkeys and white ... whatever is not constructive. I don't use racial slurs but it seems like right now they are being shoved down our throats. Anyway excellent masterpiece very relevent movie for our times.
Very well said, but it was even deeper than that (the great writing that is lacking in so many other films these days). It was as you said, but it was also atonement (in his mind) for the things he did in war. In addition, Walt was and will always be a soldier, this was a soldiers death. So his sacrifice in the end tied up three thread lines.
Anen
Love this film. Emotional, thought provoking. Clint is a badass at every age.
I absolutely agree! I love this movie...and man, they did a phenomenal job with their editing on this! LOL
just like Million Dollar Baby ,
@@heinochr6954 Million Dollar Baby was so good!
Sure he is..... brilliant movie
Was a damn good movie. This movie was filled with life lessons. No one is beyond redemption, and I don't mean religiously. I mean.. those boys, hopefully jail would have helped some of them. Maybe it will, probably it won't, but if you seek redemption it IS achievable.
Another good lesson is that language isn't offensive by nature. It is up to you to take offense to it. Plenty of people here showed that the language being used, while crude and rude, did not affect the mental state of the people who were confident and comfortable with themselves. If language was offensive in nature, it would affect everyone equally. It very obviously does not. You can like or dislike someone based on their mannerisms alone, but people are often more than the superficial exterior you see. You don't have to give people a chance, but the more you do the more you will find people to be less reprehensible than you initially thought.
One last message. Traditional values are not evil. They may be different, and sometimes barbaric in your eyes, but so long as they do not do harm to others and reinforce taking care of family or a community, they are more often beneficial than trying to fit in with others around like the troublemakers did. Be open to knowing who your true family is, even if they are not related to you by blood. Don't be afraid to cast out those who are blood related, simply because of that connection, if they are toxic to you.
SPOILER: So you didn't realize when he was buying his suit at the end of the movie.... that he knew he needed a suit for the coffin.
The haircut - the shave. Taking daisy to the little grouchy lady (which i love - full of fire for her age 😊) the confession. Take it his new dr told him he wasn't going to make it. Tried to talk to his own son and - well we seen how that went. That's why walt changed his will - have his ungrateful family nothing and his beloved car went to the son he always wanted to help his family. He taught tao to be a man in such a short time. I bawl like a baby everytime i watch this and million dollar baby
I live 2 houses down from Walt's home. It's now a drug house. I turned their electric on illegally by climbing the pole and running a line to the box. In turn they look after home while I'm at work. The house is so busy selling rocks and heroin on Fri and sat nights there is traffic jams
@@breakingames7772. Congratulations on being an American Hero.
@@breakingames7772 let’s hope no one from the electric company sees this lol
Casket not a coffin . Those are two different things
The scene where Walt is asking Tau to help him with the refrigerator is an IMPORTANT lesson for Tau. I don't know if it was intentional or not but it was a good life lesson for Tau to learn when to stand up for yourself and WHERE to place boundaries on human interactions and behavior. Tau needed to be able to tell Walt the limits on his help, and the parameters of what he was willing to do, and what he WOULD NOT do. Walt growled on the outside, but on the inside he was HAPPY that Tau had grown some courage and displayed it when necessary. The fact that he gave in to Tau is evidence of that.
This movie broke me when I first saw it.
Walt is a perfect portrayal of my Dad. A coarse, mean, Korean Vet who drank PBR and had a Zippo. But if he loved you, he would protect you to his death. A different sort of moral code.
This was a great movie. 👍
Sorry for your loss but it does sound you had a great dad too. Just like my dad who I miss dearly.
Spoilers: One of the main reasons older Americans used to use nicknames for everyone is because we are a melting pot and people with unfamiliar names from all over the world found it easier to pronounce and remember nicknames than try to learn everybody's different names.
The point of the movie is that superficial prejudices mean nothing compared to foundational values and character, and everyone is flawed. That next door Hmong kid needed to toughen up while Walt needed to let soften up. In the end Walt found more in common with the Hmong family than his own, and was willing to sacrifice his own life to give them a better chance at a more peaceful and prosperous future.
Facts
couldn't said it better myself.
I absolutely concur......and since he was dying of cancer, anyway, he wanted his death to have meaning...to have something of value.
He was not being Racist, he called things as he saw them.. not tip toeing around feelings...
Think yall are Ready for Blazing Saddles... a more comedic base of "slurs"...but truly an anti-slur based message
@@Sportsref13 , he clearly was being racist. The problem is that people have been brainwashed into thinking that’s a bad thing.
Among his many films, he made what is considered the finest western ever, 'Unforgiven'. Please watch!!!
Unforgiven is a classic!
Unforgiven is unforgettable and amazing! Please watch and do a reaction. You will not be disappointed. One of the best modern westerns!
Unforgiven also has Morgan Freeman as Clint's best bud
He needs to be useful. Pls review. 1 secondhand lions. Funny and inspirational. 2 Something the Lord made. The true story of viven Thomas and the first heart surgery on an infant with what was called blue babies. Heart warming.
Yes that is him singing
I start bawling when he gives Daisy to the grandma. He gave his life for Tao so Tao could have a chance. Yes, it’s just one man doing that against an entire system. For one other person. The lesson is that the individual is the biggest minority in society. White red black or yellow.
Me too. A man does not give his trusted companion away frivolously. Clint tries to diffuse the sad finality of leaving Daisy with his neighbor with humor, but that scene still gets me.
i am 57. i have only watched this movie twice. after the first watch, i immediately purchased the "DVD". i got it so deeply the first time that i did not need to see it again but wanted it on hand just because. i did eventually watch that DVD a second time multiple years later with a friend that was having a hard time dealing with the hatred in this world we now live in. i believe he also got it immediately. thank you for my 3rd watch! p.s. that dvd is still on my bookshelf, waiting to be shared with someone else. thanks again
I saw this in the theater, not expecting much to be honest. I was blown away by the movie, and have watched it multiple times since.
I was expecting more about a car than inner emotions, got me good
@@whatsupshittafabraans1926 Right? Clint, imo, has been better in the second half of his career than the first. Top shelf movies, both as a director and actor.
Walt found love and compassion in Su and Tao that he never got from his own kids and grand kids. They built a bond and you saw how that softened his heart after his wife died (she was the soft heart). I’ve seen this movie quite a few times and it still chokes me up every time.
One of the big points in this movie that you may have missed is that Walt came full circle. He says it in the movie about fighting in Korea. He got the silver star for a brave act, when he didn't feel brave at all or that he deserved it. He kept the medal locked away in a chest, and never displayed it. He explains in the movie he received it for shooting some other young Korean in the face, and that he felt he never deserved the medal. He gives the medal to Thao, simply because, he believes that Thao is brave, for resisting joining the gang no matter how much they torment him and his family. Thao's bravery to Walt is in resisting and always doing the right thing. Even when Thao tries to steal his car, he's a miserable thief and Walt understands this, never calls the police. He runs Thao through all of these tasks, which are somewhat humiliating at times, to test his metal as a person to always do the right thing. Walt sits on his porch and watches the moral decay surrounding him. He sees it in his neighbor not taking care of his home, to the gangs, to hoodlums, to his own children and grandchildren that have no self-respect, and even to a priest who Walt believes doesn't know the struggles of life. Walt understands that talk is cheap and to be a good person requires more than words at times. The scene where Walt is killed by the gang is evidence of this. Walt knows he is dying, he cannot stop what is coming, so in one final act he faces evil and doesn't flinch. Clint Eastwood's symbolism draws parallels between soldiers facing imminent death but fighting for what they believe in and the death of Christ. Basically laying down your life for others. The Army Cavalry lighter, being shown in his outstretched hand in the crucifixion pose, is an homage to soldiers who died facing similarly in battle. Basically put, throughout the movie, Walt resented receiving the medal. He didn't feel worthy of it. The other message which is clear at the ending, besides goodness prevailing through selfless acts, is that violence cannot defeat evil, but pureness of heart can. Thao wearing his Silver Star medal as the scene unfolds is that valor resides in being righteous and pure of heart. Walt gives him the medal, then locks him in his basement to prevent him from committing violence, I believe is proof of this. The Hmong people who fought alongside Americans in several conflicts, were sort of abandoned after the Wars and received persecution. Not sure if this was the message Clint was trying to deliver with his neighbors having no senior male role models portrayed in the movie or not. Many males of the Hmong people died in fighting during the War or afterward in persecution. I think both Walt and the Lor's harbored a resentment or feeling of betrayal.
Clint Eastwood is really a brilliant director. The fact that he named the movie after an automobile, which was really a great touch. He explains that it was a car he built with his own two hands, which is why he held it in such high regard and cared for it. Essentially, it was a symbol of his life and his values. Many others wanted it, but were not deserving of it. At the reading of the will, Thao gets the car, with the stipulation that he will never change it from its purest sense, in other words, don't change or lose sight of what is already good. Tao smiles, because he understands the message from Walt.
Danny, I like your interpretation. Thank you for putting your thoughts here. I read every word of it, and am nodding all the time.
Nailed it.
Perfect encapsulation.
Bullshit.
In Walt's voice.
As a, you know, joke. Jeebus Krist.
Beautiful interpretation and as far as I am concerned Clint is a national treasure. I work in construction and I have a sticker of him on my hardhat. He is the man.
If you liked this movie, I strongly recommend another movie Clint wrote and directed called 'Million Dollar Baby'. Just as funny, heartfelt and touching with a stellar performance from the man himself.
I still have a hard time with that movie - and i just love Hillary swank. That girl does not get the credit she deserves. Praying she makes some kind of appearance on cobra kai
Great film. However, an even superior Clint Eastwood film is The Unforgiven, which won over a dozen Academy Awards, such as best direct, best movie, and many more. In it, you have the great Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman; I mean come on. It doesn't get any better than The Unforgiven for an Eastwood film.
Watch Million Dollar Baby, but I guarantee you won't ever want to watch it again. I'd go for The Good The Bad and The Ugly, The Outlaw Josey Wales or Unforgiven.
@@dunhill1 AGREED
It's a great movie but I could only see that movie once. It was so very sad.
The fact Walt didn't confess his murder during the war to the priest during confession, but confessed to Tao says everything about his trust and friendship with him.
The confession to the priest was just to satisfy his promise to Walt’s wife.
Walt never changed throughout the movie. Your perception and understanding of him did! Great lesson for the younger generation!
An excellent observation!
You can't assess anybody's authentic character from a superficial evaluation.
It takes time & different circumstances for people to reveal their true nature.
Yes that was Clint singing at the end of the movie and he also directed the movie. His son was the guy with Sue that was being hassled by those guys. Yes, Clint was dying of cancer and he gave up his life for his friend Thao by putting those guys in jail for killing a war hero. Gave Thao a chance to succeed in life. Clint's gruff voice....... watch Dirty Harry, an awesome movie from the 70s. Very popular at the time. Guessing he was in his late 30s when he made it. Voice not so gruff and he's very easy on the eyes. Clint was 92 this past May. Loved your reaction.
This is one of those hidden gems. Most people love this movie once they see it, it has so many really good messages in it. Great reaction Squad.
My father was WW2 soldier, wounded in action. All his friends from his regiment were lifelong friends. I grew up with a dozen Uncles who always looked out for me, just like you Rob. These men walked the walk every day of their lives. Great role models I’d say but the language they used was something else. Now I don’t agree with some of it but sometimes I think this generation is too sensitive. You can’t say anything about anybody. The enemy is not the words. The enemy is what is in your heart. At the center of this Walt had more in common with the Koreans than his own family. The Koreans had loyalty, family, tradition, things Walt didn’t happen to have in his own family. The good guys are not always the ones you may expect.
Just a minor point, they're Hmong, not Korean. Vietnamese refugees. Basically, their entire culture is here in the United States now. They lost their home and everything when we left Vietnam.
I think people misunderstand some of the language and misread the attitudes of previous generations that they may have never had any personal experience with. Life is hard and challenging, the focus was towards giving people the strength they would need to make it through when the times were tough. American in the early 1900's was inundated by wave after wave of immigrants from many different places and just about every group and religion at some point was the butt of some tasteless joke, but they did not care because they wanted a better life and did not have time to worry about what some yahoo 10 blocks over that they never met thinks about them. When JFK ran for president he was considered a bit dodgy because he was Irish and oh much worse, a Catholic and that was the 1960's.
People are way too sensitive today. Victim culture has brought us to the point where words hurt. Words that often the young people being outraged were never subjected too because attitudes had changed by the time they came around. More importantly they give their (personal) power and strength away to people that they don't even know, that they should not care what they think, when they allow words to cause harm. Instead of teaching the younger generations that the only thing that matters is how they feel about themselves and these people spouting garbage at them are frankly irrelevant, we are teaching them to take these foul words onto themselves like they have any meaning and making them carry the cross for every generation that went before. That is beyond backwards. The people that came before bore hardships so that their children's children would not have to. Nowadays because there is this yearning to be a victim, to be damaged, to never move forward, we are telling the children that they also must carry that albatross around their neck.
Words only have the meaning you as an individual accept them to be. People's opinions only really matter if you care what that person's opinion is in the first place. I am not really sure what happened or why we thought that it would be a good thing to send kids into adulthood with so little armor that it only takes an idiot wielding a word to cause them severe harm.
My Dad was like that. He was in the Korean War but as a radioman, so fortunately he wasn't in combat. But what he saw and heard, he never talked about. Just the good, goofy times. My Dad had no filter either. But in the end his heart was always in the right place. He might have given a slag against you at first. But if you needed a hand, if you were sick, or in need. He'd be the first to help out. I learned from his bad examples of what not to do. And his good example of what you should do.
@@OpenMawProductions While Vietnam has a significant Hmong population, they are a minority there. The Hmong are native to southwestern China, and most of them still live in China. So I don't think we can assume that this family, or any other Hmong family, necessarily fled to the U.S. from Vietnam.
@@btgiv6009 We're literally told that in the movie during the truck ride conversation.
I can't believe it's your first Clint Eastwood film. He's been in so many great films right from the 1960s to now. You've got loads of great stuff ahead.
This movie meant so much to me, My Dad was also a Korean War vet and also once drove a Gran Torino, and yes his personality was not too different than Walt's.
My dad wasn't as cold, but yes... same... they were a different breed, my friend. I didn't even know my dad was in any serious combat till he passed and I got to see his papers at the VAs office. The things they saw and did... changed them forever.
Mine too, My dad was a Korean war vet owned a 72 gran Torino and reminds me of Walt!
So much nuance to this film. He hits you in the face with boorishness, but he is multi-layered and complex. You know, like most humans. It’s shades of gray. Not black and white with regards to human emotions
A lot of people talk about how much Walt "changed" during the course of this story. I don't think so. He was gruff and insulting to just about anyone he didn't know (and even many he did know) until they earned his respect. In spite of his unfortunate bigotry, he was at heart a good person, which is the most important thing. But these days people get this backward -- you can be the most hateful and spiteful person around, but as long as you hold the "correct" views on race, gender, etc., all is good. But a guy like Walt is treated like a garbage person. There is a reason the left lost its shit when this movie came out -- they *hated* it.
Dan ..... spot on
@@btgiv6009 ⬆️ This
@@btgiv6009 did they? Everyone I know loves this movie!
@@savsmiles3042 There was a lot of blowback at the time about how the movie made a racist (i.e., worst. person. ever.) into a hero. Just last year, the actor who played the kid Walt helps came out and slammed the movie for being racist. Normal people love the movie. Activists, political types, and the perpetually-offended-American community, not so much.
It's beautiful and sad to see that Sue Tao and their family show him more respect than his own children do
How his children react at the very end when the lawyer is going through the will says it all. The son who wanted Walt to sell his house (so he could no doubt pocket the money) was visibly PISSED when the lawyer said that Walt willed it to the church. Then the granddaughter was salivating at the possibility of the car... Even if Walt wasn't the most emotionally available father (a lifetime of war PTSD will do that), we see that Walt was a good guy at heart.
@@AJR-zg2py His family only wanted to be there if there was something in it for them. Honestly Sue is my favorite in this movie. She was going to be there if he liked it or not. Her and Tao became the grandchildren we wanted and respected.
My grandfather was in the Korean War and he was the same way. He could say things that would upset people but you knew there wasn't any hate behind it. He was the first one to protect or help someone in need. We actually had a Korean family that lived across the street and my grandparents would babysit their son when they needed them to. People back in the day didn't get upset over every little jab or insult it was more about how you treated others and looked out for everyone
Exactly! My father would say things that would be considered racist today but he was not a racist. In fact, people often thought he was Armenian or Mexican because of his slightly dark skin (1/8 Cherokee). It is strange to hear racist things coming out of someone of color, although in my father's case, it was always in the form of a joke.
I miss those days.....
@@drdr76 This movie highlights how noble actions are far more important than saying the right things.
@@drdr76 " It is strange to hear racist things coming out of someone of color..."
What? Why? Do you not hang out with people who aren't white Americans? It's as common if not more common than with white Americans. Spend some time in Chicago or LA.
I served in the U.S. Air Force in the Seoul, Korea area for 2 years in the 1990s and I still considered my stay there part of 'the Korean War" because you could tell, looking across the DMZ, that nothing was "over". The Korean War is known as "the forgotten war", as it is not given the same up-front treatment these days in the public eye like so many other conflicts. What really makes the Korean War unique is that it never actually ended. It exists in a state of endless tension, ready to break out again at any moment.
Walt always felt guilt for the life of the enemy soldier he killed when he was trying to surrender (the thing that haunts a guy is the stuff he's not ordered to do).
In the end, he paid for that life, with his own, and saved the life of a young man caught up in a different kind of war.
Walt's face when he saw how his neighbours treat their seniors in comparison to how his own children treat him killed me.
When this came out on DVD the older Hmong guys and Vietnam Vets I work with passed a copy around for weeks. They loved it and it really brought a lot of people closer.
Yeah miss movies that weren't woke and yet brought everyone together and gave a perspective...yet the slurs were funny and the stupid bro jokes
@@mrbungle3310the message is pretty “woke” tho, about racial tolerance etc
@mrbungle3310 this is the wokest movie I've seen in a while.
@@mikefish1124 nah...theres a difference between just a normal anti race movie vs wokeness...clint wouldn't do anything woke...if it was woke clint was gonna be a soft character
@@mrbungle3310 if this is truly your opinion, then you have absolutely no idea what the term means
"Kelly's Heroes" was one of Clint's first movies after the westerns. It's set in WW2 with an all star cast and you will love it!
One of my favs!!
@@justindenney-hall5875 Without cheating and looking at Imdb, I'd have to guess Good, Bad, and the Ugly.
Definitely
Yes
Negative waves, Moriarity
I found the Barber shop scene very touching, Where Walt was trying to teach his young friend the art of small talk. It its a very important skill to have to make it in the world.
John Carrol Lynch was the barber in this movie. He is great. He was also great in The Founder as the McDonalds brother, about McDonalds Restaurant, starring Michael Keaton as Ray Kroc.
@@yankeesfan3961 Yeah, I've always loved this movie and the barber scene is hilarious.
That was one of the best reaction videos I’ve watched. Your appreciation and understanding of Walt’s character was perfect. The separate reactions of the two of you were great. How this movie manages to change the viewers opinion of Walt through the show is awesome. From an old vet myself, thanks.
Hi guys, this movie really hit home for me! I'm a Vietnam and Desert Storm veteran, and I know what it means to go to war! All those things Walt was going thru, I go thru every day, you just don't forget! I want to thank u for reviewing this movie, now I know a lot more people see what it feels like to take the life of an enemy, because that's what you were ordered to do! Again, thx for ur review!
God bless you for your service Sir!
The best thing about this film is that the audience goes through character development too!
That's a good angle. Appreciate that!
This movie teaches us to look at a person's actions, regardless of what sort of things they might say or what sort of words they might use.
"Dirty Harry" was the first of five movies in which he played San Francisco detective Harry Callahan. Another movie in the same vein as Gran Torino (where the main character has a poor relationship with her family) is "Million Dollar Baby"--it's another one that's definitely worth a reaction.
Clint has had an astounding career. He started as an actor, and he always had this tremendous presence on film. He was grounded initially in the western genre, which evolved into the "Dirty Harry" cop films, with Clint playing the iconic role. Clint played the tough guy types of roles for the first 20 years of his career. As he matured as an actor he began to stretch into other types of roles and movie genres, from 'Play Misty for Me,' to "The Bridges of Madison County." and eventually returned to the Western Genre to act and direct "Unforgven" which received 9 Academy awards, including a Best Director and Best Picture one for Eastwood himself. Clint is also a musician and composer, and has composed for many soundtracts, including his own. His films are iconic, and he iconic in them. He has great depth as an artist. He is truly a rennaisance man and one of the greatest filmakers of all time.
This man is not able to make a bad movie , he is legend of his time . Love all of his work . Everything what he has done was right on point , never failed .
Yes Amber - people can be that terrible... makes me want to move to your town if this much cruelty shocks you so much.... I love you two - you remind me that there are good people still...
I used to live in their town, and it's a pretty nice one. It just gets wiped off the map by a tornado every few years.
@heart Blanchard
Same Sheryl. These two seem like good eggs!
@@timpossible181 oh THAT Moore OK. I’ve watched reactors review the tornado videos. Wow.
Amen!!!!!
Walt was dying, he was coughing up blood and still smoking it was only a matter of time for him, so he went out his way.
Fun fact: The white guy in the scene when Walt first pulls out the finger gun is Clint Eastwood's son Scott.
Other notable Eastwood movies are:
Heartbreak Ridge (War movie)
Unforgiven (Western)
Million Dollar Baby (boxing)
Trouble with the Curve (baseball)
This is an amazing movie and hold such great memories for me. My dad loved Clint Eastwood. This was the last movie by Clint Eastwood starring and directing that I was able to watch with him before my dad passed. You will cry Amber, but I will be crying right along with you.
One of my favorite Clint Eastwood films.
Love how the neighbors treated him more like family than his real family did.
"He's such a conflicting character." - one reason I love this movie so much. Everything about his "outside" says you aren't supposed to like him. But as the story unfolds, his true character begins to show through. It's a powerful transition.
So ironic that anyone who knows Clint can tell ya, he's no racist...I've seen him play piano with the NAACP jazz band on BET, and he;s helped many young black actors with breakthrough roles including Forrest Whittaker and Anthony McKie. It's so weird how unlike most movie stars, the older Clint got the better he got as an actor...Grand Torino is one of my top 5 from him all-time.
Shit, he got way better as a director too. Million Dollar Baby, Unforgiven, American Sniper, Gran Torino. Anything this man touches is good.
@@heatherphillips5983 Unforgiven would be another great film to watch. Clint, Morgan Freeman, and Gene Hackman.
One of his absolute best movies is largely ignored and the only reason I can see why is that he wasn't portrayed as the quintessential bad ass, but as a victim. "Play Misty For Me" ('71) is a great psychological thriller and he excelled.
I always find it funny the type of characters Clint Eastwood a tough, speak you mind almost rightwing. Although he always says that he is more a libertarian.
@@sdhillon7617 But, the whole chair conversation was straight up bonkers.
Clint Eastwood is a living legend. There are so many great movies of his. I hope you get the chance to watch some of the others. He was of course famous for all his Westerns, "High Plains Drifter", "The Outlaw Josey Wales", then later the comedy movies, "Any Which Way But Loose" and "Any Which Way you Can", then onto the "Dirty Harry" series of movies, the Cold War thriller "Firefox", then later in "Heartbreak Ridge", "Unforgiven", "Pale Rider", "Letters From Iwo Jima" and on and on..."
Good Movie. The Wuss is his real-life son, Scott Eastwood. He's what, 92 yrs now. His first two movies were in 1955...in the second, Tarantula, he was a jet fighter pilot shooting at a Giant Spider. There's some videos of Clint on talk shows, I.e. Tonight Show-Johnny Carson 1973, if you want to hear him talk.
Y'all have to understand, Clint is the same generation as my dad. They grew up in tough times raised by tough fathers when there was very little interaction between races. My dad had a mouth like Clint but was not a racist at heart. They just don't express emotions. My father and I loved each other, he worked his ass off to give us a wonderful life. But he and I never said that we loved each other until his final moments on his deathbed. Even then it was difficult. Times are different and people aren't as hard as they once were. Love y'all.
I recommend "Hereafter", it's a hidden gem. Not only did Clint Eastwood directed the film, he also wrote and performed the music for it.
The movie flopped in the US - not because it's bad but because 1/3 of the film is in French and Americans disliked movies with subtitle.
Remember when Walt got his first fitted suit at the end, it was for his funeral as he knew he would not survive. I love this movie. Happy you guys saw it.
The most subtle of touching moments is Walt's last conversation with Tao. The screen between them mirrors the screen between priest and penitent in the confession booth. Walt's true last confession was to his friend.
Yeah Walt genuinely considered Thao as a friend
Clint has worked his way up through the industry, and you can tell. He knows himself and what an audience wants. To truly see how good he is as an actor to producer and director start from his early westerns. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly trio. His comedy's. Every Which Way But Loose and Every Which Way You Can. The Dirty Harry series and his other westerns Pale Rider and The High Plains Drifter. Unforgiven, WW2 comedy Kelly's Heroes, In the Line of Fire, Heartbreak Ridge and many many more. Honestly you could spend ages going through all the different genres of films he's been associated with. A truly great actor, producer, Director and anything else he's done. ( Even mayor of Carmel.)
It certainly wouldn't be a bad thing to dip into more of his films.
Would love to see Jay and Amber react to Any Which Way But Loose. "Right turn, Clyde." LOL!
Kelly Hero's also my fav.
Walt did pull up and turn the truck off 😂💯
Insults and slurs only hurt if we let them. Bigots and bullies use slurs because they know that we're afraid of them.
The old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" still rings true.
Even the nastiest slurs are powerless when we make them powerless.
Show no fear. Have no fear. They're just words, and words are only as powerful as we allow them to be.
“You ever notice how you meet someone you just shouldn’t have F*** with”, well that’s me! Classic line, he reminds me so much of my dad. He’d say things that made you cringe, but he meant no harm, it was just how that generation was. Fantastic reaction/review, great job.
Same here, he’s so much like my dad was (even the same name, and we liked to tease him by calling him Wally because that’s what his parents and siblings called him, haha). Seemed to me like the mutual jabs at each other’s ethnicity (like Walt and his barber friend, ethnicity as opposed to race) it was both the generation and possibly depended on what part of the US they were from. Dad’s northern friends all talked to each other like that, but I never heard any southern friends join in, lol.
As a Progressive, I personally feel there is a message in this film that a lot of Progressives need to hear: But you said it first: "He'd say things that made you cringe, but he meant no harm, it was just how that generation was." It did not mean Walt was not a good person, it's just how he was. And with his actions he shows this. Americans on both side have begun believing people are bad because they say things they don't like. This may or may-not be the case for any given situation--but actions are the real way to track it and perhaps in the end should be the only thing that matters. Now we need a similar film with a latte drinking coastal elite showing they have humanity too--and forcing everyone to watch the two movies side by side.
Gran Torino was a Phenomenal Movie. it shows how most people's feelings can change if they spend time around Nationalities that they are unaccustomed to,this is a Movie Ican watch more than once and always react the same way.
My father was in Burma during WW2. I don't think he ever quite got over his feelings towards the Japanese after seeing what they did to the Burmese people.
Some old wounds never heal.
@@cya6154 The average Japanese soldier came from crime riddled neighborhoods, rife with gang warfare and murder. Most of their soldiers wee societal trash.
Ater the brutality of the streets, they were subjected to brutal military discipline, turning them into the most abhorrent creatures to ever walk upright. I know the stories.
I watched three reactions to this movie tonight and ive teared up three times lol. This movie blew me away when it came out. I was laughing immaturely at the insults then i got hit with a huge wave of the feels and togetherness. I love this film. Favorite Clint Eastwood movie.
One of the best anti-racism movies ever made. It shows how racism comes from a point of ignorance, best countered with exposure.
I love that you guys get so invested in the movies and are able to show real emotion ( some reactors just fake it lol).
One of my favorite Clint Eastwood movies is “In The Line Of Fire” where he plays a secret service agent. Also of the Dirty Harry movies are all awesome. A great baseball themed movie is “The Trouble With The Curve”.
Walt's rough, but he's the real deal. They were my grandfather's generation, they came up thru the Depression and WWII, they knew hardship and how to work, their word was their word, and they knew how to look you in the eye and shake hands. They fought wars full of blood and guts and mud and came home to raise their families. The were often blunt and they weren't poseurs, they were the guys you wanted at your back and keeping watch when the barbarians were at the gate. And if need be, they would give their lives to protect who they loved.
Yup, the Greatest Generation.
Well, my father was a WW2 vet and he was a jackass, abandoned his family and never paid a dime in child support. Veterans are not monolithic, they are a cross-section of America and contain every personality type. Vietnam veterans came home from Vietnam and were shunned, shamed, scapegoated and isolated by a nation of moral ingrates. Walt had undiagnosed PTSD, his real confession was to Thao through the screened security door, he told of killing an enemy who was trying to surrender and he shot him and has been haunted every day of his life.. War veterans carry the darkness of war forever for a society that has long forgotten.
@@davisworth5114 I agree with you but the key word is "generation" as there are always gonna be bad apples when you're talking about millions of people. The same applies to today's younger generation. I'm not a fan overall but I also know my two grandsons and most of their friends remind me of my generation who grew up during the 60's and 70's.
@@davisworth5114 indeed - there's a lot of romantic American mythology wrapped up with the "greatest generation"
They're like Russians of today
This was an awesome reaction to witness. The lady experiencing it as an opportunity for emotional connection with her man but fully appreciating the theme, the dude immersing himself in the both the theme and its intellectual implications. Genuine, great stuff.
Eastwood reminds me so much of my own father. They were both in the military during the Korean war though my father was an actual combatant. Eastwood made certain to visually reference several things only veterans or their families could appreciate that more fully explain Walt's character: army footlocker with battlefield decorations/medals (Silver Star, I believe), M1 Garand rifle, the kind used in Korea, Government Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol, 1st Cavalry Division cigarette lighter. My dad had similar memorabilia from his time in Korea though, like Walt, preferred not to talk about his experiences from those days and probably suffered from what is now called PTSD. Still, I really like this movie because it helps clearly highlight the difference between attitudes and approach to life of my parent's and the current generations while honoring the intelligence and courage of that generation now almost gone.
He was already a good man but had to be tough to survive. The fam earned his respect because they were good people too.
...Walt never changed. We did.
I highly recommend watching "Ben Hur" (1959) for your next reaction. It won 11 Oscars and is easily a candidate for the greatest movie ever made. It stars Charlton Heston playing a Judean prince. The movie is epic and had some of the greatest sets ever built for any movie ever, in addition to outstanding acting from the entire cast.
"Ben Hur" is one of the greatest movies ever made
It's also great to see how Walt changes during this movie. Also learning a little bit of their culture is very interesting.
That goes both ways.
Very true
How does he change? Everyone is stand-offish with strangers until you get to know them, correct? What about how Thao changed?
You may have missed the significance of him buying the tailored suit... Walt wanted to have something nice to be buried in. Fantastic movie.
"The one who plants a tree knowing that they will never be able to sit in its shade has at least started to understand. the meaning of life" -Rabindranath Tagore
Love y’all’s emotion! Me and jay both cried during the last two reactions! It’s just so good! Love the emotion from the both of y’all
A great emotional reaction you guys. Sacrificing himself for Tao so he could have a normal life was very big. Other Clint Eastwood movies worth checking out are 1971's Play Misty For Me (a early predecessor to the psychotic female slasher films) and 1973's High Plains Drifter. Highly recommend them both. And of course Dirty Harry films.
When I was a little girl (and I'm a great grandmother now), I watched Clint Eastwood on a b & w tv show called Rawhide. He played Rowdy Yates. Then he had all the "spaghetti westerns" which were great too. Then came Dirty Harry! I've loved Clint Eastwood my entire life and so glad he's still making movies. You have to understand that when Clint Eastwood was young, the world was different. If you look up "cool" in the dictionary, you should see a picture of Clint!
Interesting Western surname you have there Anne, are you related I wonder (I’m sure you know what I mean)? I watched Rawhide recently (within the last few years) as I’m a big Western/Eastwood fan. What a great series, and still holds up today in some ways. Clint as Rowdy was a stand out even back then. It was pretty clear he was going to go on to be a screen legend.
"Rawhide" is on MeTV on Saturdays.
The beautiful thing about this movie (one of the beautiful things at least) is that while it focuses on Walt and his prejudice/redemption, it really shows (to me at least) that racism isn't a one way street. It's a beautiful movie that doesn't get enough love, so thank you for reacting to it
This is truly a seminal Eastwood film. The emotional aspects will push you to the edge. And it's part of why he has been a star since the 1950s.
If you appreciate his talent in this film, you owe it to yourself to check out Unforgiven, or In The Line of Fire. Or The Outlaw Josey Wales.
Or have fun watching Thunderbolt & Lightfoot, or Any Which Way But Loose, or any of the Dirty Harry movies.
Space Cowboys is another favorite.
Love this movie. Love the reaction as to how you got the twists and turns of the movie. Walt is old school. No filter, no PC. Says what he means. Very rare these days. The ceremony/ birthday hit a chord. After being stationed overseas, when you get old fashioned, Asian food, you don’t want to get up from the table. But the movie just shows how people can change. Another reason to love this movie for me? My first car was a ‘72 Gran Torino fastback the same color with the same stripe on the side. Loved that car.
Loved your reactions, this movie is a masterpiece. Most of the commenters miss one important point in the film: Walt said when he locked Thao in the basement and how he got that medal: he killed a young kid just like Thao in the war. Part of helping Thao and giving his life to make him safe was his penance...very powerful.
If you have not seen it, I think you both will like City Slickers. It has a badass old man character as well. It is a comedy with some drama and multiple character development.
'Greater love hath no man, than he who would lay down his life for his friends'..
There are so many Clint Eastwood movies. Two of my favorites are Unforgiven and Josey Wales!!!
Enjoyable, sad, powerful, prolific all rapped up in one strong film. Clint Eastwood is one of the great film makers of all time💯.
My grandfather was exactly like that. He would cuss at us in German so he wouldn’t get in trouble with my mom. It was seriously just a way that men of that generation that saw war were to each other and everyone. They had extremely tough outer shells. But you knew he loved us.
Also, one of my favorite little tidbits, the white boy in the gang situation with the girl, is actually his son! Watching this interaction makes me laugh because I doubt their actual interactions are anything like that!
Makes me cry at the end every time!
The extra funny thing about his son having that role is that Clint Eastwood didn't actually cast him to be in that role. His son said his dad has never given him any extra consideration for being in the movies that his father produces or directs. He actually had to audition for the role just like everyone else! He had auditioned for other roles in his father's previous films but had been turned down in the past. He didn't even know if he'd gotten the part until they called him and told him when to come out for the filming.
Walt was of Polish descent.
Clint is a great director and story teller. He knows how to put you through all the feels. Hard to watch sometimes, but well worth the ride.
It was an awesome movie! Another different but still great Clint Eastwood flick is Kelly's Heroes
You guys are a joy to see react to these great movies. Rock on!
He's got a long resume of movies as an actor to choose from, westerns or otherwise. But he's also got some really good movies as a director (Gran Torino was one). Also, when he first rolls up and rescues Sue, the kid that was with her is his son Scott Eastwood and the dog Daisy is his actual dog.
I didn't realize that kid I disliked so much with Su was Clint's real son! Thanks. I hated his character, not the actor.
The great Clint Eastwood. Never saw this movie but it is so in line with roles he was drawn to play. He is most famous for his *the man with no name westerns* and Dirty Harry cop movies. Not only a great actor but he is also a great director. "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" is one of his movies you should definitely check out.
Can't go wrong with any Clint Eastwood movie. He's one of those actors who play their 'age' very well. You should check out 'Trouble with the Curve,’ which is a baseball movie he made 4 years after Gran Torino. It features Amy Adams as his daughter, as well as Justin Timberlake and John Goodman. Other movies to check out: The Outlaw Josey Wales, Where Eagles Dare, Kelly's Heroes, Heartbreak Ridge and Hang 'Em HIgh (to mention just a few). By the way, did you know that Clint was the director of Gran Torino as well?
WEll, almost... Bridges of Madison County sucked pretty bad imo. lol
RENE, "...JOSEY WALES" IS DEFINITELY A CLASSIC! ACTUALLY, MOST ALL ARE! LOL! (NOTE: NOT YELLING, EYESITE BAD)
I was raised by my pop pop too, a very warm and loving little Mexican man who was my best friend and everything I aspire to be.
Honestly, who hadn't had tears in eyes at the end?
The 1970s-1980s "Dirty Harry" series of movies transformed Clint Eastwood from a western icon to an action/thriller legend. And the cool thing about the series -- other than the iconic catch phrases that it introduced to pop culture -- is the character development we see Harry undergo throughout the series. A must-watch, at some point. (P.S. One of the films introduces us to Liam Neeson and a young Jim Carrey channeling Axl Rose.)
And actual axl rose….. the whole band is in the Dirty Harry movie dead pool
Because of all of Clint's tough guy movies, and his seemingly being mostly that in this movie, he was going to clean that gang house out. My only question was how would he get away with it, but then in the final showdown, I was confused. I was thinking, I know Clint/Walt is a bad ass, but he is standing in the open with no cover and against too many, Does he have a grenade launcher? How is he going to do it? It does not seem possible. Then I realized it was not possible and Walt went down and was shot too many times. As many realized, when I saw Walt lying dead in the shape of a cross/crucifixion, I realized he was sacrificing himself. He prevailed but in a non-violent and more effective way. He was absolving his past too!
This is one of my favorite movies. The way he sacrifices himself for Thao and Sue is so sad but beautiful. They became his true family because his real family were a bunch of turds😂. The only thing I hate is when poor Sue comes inside all beaten up.. I cry everytime
Walt was dying anyway so he went out in one of the best ways possible, he Sacrificed himself knowing the gang would be locked up.
Him getting a clean shave, a new suite and going to confession was him preparing for the end.
Some of the acting wasn't the best but overall it's a great movie.
Some more clint eastwood movies of course are his Westerns
One of my favorites is "unforgiven " probably best to watch after checking out some of the earlier Westerns though
- fistful of dollars
- for a few dollars more
- the good, the bad & the ugly
- pale rider
- outlaw josey Wales
And another movie that will hit you in the feels is " million dollar baby"
It took him decades to be able to pick and choose his projects. The one that really broke the door wide open for him was, in my opinion, Unforgiven (1992). I truly believe it's his masterpiece, and his final statement on the Western genre.
Million Dollar Baby and Mystic River are also his films, and they are so so so good. Highly recommend
*Sling Blade is a must that I hope you guys check out soon. Great reaction to Gran Torino! Love this movie!*
The good the bad and the ugly. Is an epic Clint Eastwood movie. Its a long movie but every single moment of this movie is absolutely fantastic. Clint was amazing in all the westerns he played in. After the western era of movies he started directing and creation some real masterpiece movies. Like Unforgiven. And also Grand Torino. And many more.
Don't sleep on my favorite, "The Outlaw Josey Wales."
Thats the last in the trilogy lol. I suggest watching all 3.
@@h91rex100
Agreed. I'd start with "A Fistful of Dollars", then "For a Few Dollars More", and finally "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly". Not exactly sequels nor same character, but they sort of fit together (Note how he ditches his overcoat for the sarape at the end of the last one in the trilogy, bringing things full circle, making the last one a kind of prequel).
@@uclagymnastx-ing for a few dollars more happens to be my favorite of the three. Mortimer is such a bad ass
I always pause to watch this movie whenever it's on T.V. I love the character arc of Walt, and how in the end, he lays down this life for his friends. Clint Eastwood has a ton of wonderful movies, ranging from Sergio Leone's classic "spaghetti westerns" of which The Good, The Bad and the Ugly is my favorite, to The Outlaw Josie Wales. His classic Unforgiven is a must see, as well as the amazing Million Dollar Baby! Take your pick and enjoy the ride!
Don't forget Dirty Harry
The best movies have the main character change for the better. Great job reviewing this movie! Go Sooners!
Hey guys... a tough reaction to an incredible movie that gets me in the feels every time. Walt had been through things in war that no person should have to endure. This is a movie of redemption for Walt as below posters have mentioned. Once his wife passed he was a bitter and angry man and it took the patience of Sue to bring him back and show him there were still good people in the world - so much so he was willing to sacrifice his life for them. A movie that is on the top 5 of anything I have watched. Great reaction.