Release date: 27 February 2009

Running time: 116 mins

Director: Clint Eastwood

Starring: Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Christopher Carley, Clint Eastwood

A Korean War veteran becomes the reluctant hero of a troubled neighbourhood when someone tries to steal his '72 Gran Torino.

Retired auto worker Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) leads a solitary life. His wife has died, his neighbours have moved away and his children are like strangers to him. Families of Hmong immigrants from Southeast Asia have moved into the area, bringing with them marauding gangs of teenagers battling for authority. When Thao (Bee Vang) is pressured into trying to steal his neighbour's gleaming Gran Torino, Walt interrupts the heist and stands up to the gang. Thao's mother and older sister Sue (Ahney Her) insist he must now work for the man they call their hero to repay the debt. Although Walt initially wants nothing to do with the family, he eventually puts his prejudices aside as he and the young boy work to clean up the neighbourhood and forge a life-changing friendship.

Screenplay: Nick Schenk

Distributor: Warners

You should see it because: Superstar Clint may be more busy as a director these days, but there's life in this old hero yet.

See it if you liked: Million Dollar Baby (2004), Death Sentence (2007), The Brave One (2007)