This movie is great on so many levels! I almost missed it because I'd confused it with some movie about racing. But this movie is about neighbors and relationships. It's about gangs and bigotry. It's about grumpy old folks who don't want to change. It's about guilt and penance and forgiveness. It's about culture clashes. It's not a comedy, but there are bits that make you laugh out loud. It's one of those movies that I wished I could watch again the very next day.
The big warning is that the language is horrid. I almost never watch R-rated movies; usually I just can't handle them. So when I saw this was R, I checked out why, partly for me and partly to know whether I'd let the kids watch it. I was stunned by the reasons given for the rating. Yes, a big part of the rating was for language, and that's certainly valid. And there was some violence, although less than you find in many PG-13 movies. What got me was the other reasons Netflix determined this was a movie "iffy for those 16 and older." Smoking. Chewing tobacco. Beer. Racial slurs (some of which I wouldn't have known to be naughty words had Netflix not told me what they were). And the kicker -- the hero was "unrepentantly grumpy."
Great movie! But if you've got little kids, put them bed before you turn it on.
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I really thought that movie lacked subtlety. I mean, it's a fine story, but... the combination of a growling, easily-won-over Clint Eastwood, stereotypically naive priest, and bratty-to-the-max family annoyed me.
ReplyDeleteWe just watched it last week....and I did let Mary watch it after talking about the language and some of the themes. I think it is a great movie, too and since Hannah didn't see it, we will probably get it again soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I was thinking about watching that movie - hey Nat, when did you see it?
ReplyDeleteI've had that movie in the back of my mind to consider for a while now. Based on your recommendation, I'm adding it to our Netflix queue. Of course, who knows when we will get to it, with our movie watching record.
ReplyDeleteSide note: a few years ago I got Unforgiven from Netflix. We had never seen it. And we still haven't, because I was so shocked by the graphic nature of the opening sequence that I turned it off. Our movie watching room is an open lower level--anyone coming up and down the stairs can see the TV--and the sound carries throughout the house easily. I just couldn't watch that movie with kids in the house. Not sure I could watch it with kids out of the house. My tolerance level for that sort of thing has gone way down in my old age.
I really didn't like Unforgiven, either. Couldn't understand why it won any awards.
ReplyDeleteJust like I can't understand why Gran Torino didn't. Guess that's why the Academy won't let me join. :)
Cheryl, I don't know what Unforgiven is, so I'm not sure whether your shock and horror would apply to Gran Torino.
ReplyDeleteNat, I guess I'm pretty unsophisticated when it comes to literature and movies, and knowing that that's how I am doesn't bother me too much. My kids can tell me that a story is predictable, or "you KNEW that twist was going to show up," or something like you said about the characters being too one-sided and stereotypical ... and I just don't usually see it myself. I can be the peon who enjoys the movies that other people think are too simplistic. Oh well...
Oh, I wasn't thinking Gran Torino is in the same category as Unforgiven. I just went off on a tangent because Unforgiven is a Clint Eastwood movie. A few years ago it won just about very award there is. Maybe more than a few years ago--maybe about 10? I can't remember. But I couldn't get past the first scene (a brutal rape).
ReplyDeleteWe just finished watching the movie.
ReplyDeleteI have to echo what Nathan said, but I liked it nonetheless. It got much better as the movie progressed.
Finally watched it! (Over 7 years later!) Great movie!
ReplyDeleteDid you notice the baptismal imagery? Or what I took as baptismal imagery.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I saw it, Cheryl. So no, I don't remember baptismal imagery. Would you refresh my mind, please?
ReplyDeleteThe main image that comes to my mind with this movie is the one who gave his life to save his neighbors, lying there dead in a cruciform shape.
When Walt is getting ready to sacrifice himself, he prepares by going to confession, getting a haircut, buying a new suit, and taking a bath.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, you're right.
ReplyDelete