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    Really Great
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    Trust Points

jasonhurwitz's Review

Summary - Very Good 3.5

I’m not the type of guy who gets emotional at movies — I laugh or I feel down, but I almost never get to the extremes of any emotion. However, by the time the closing credits rolled around, I was as close to crying due to a movie as I have ever been. This movie is a comedic tragedy that somehow takes over its viewers’ emotions, despite the fact that several scenes and much of the acting drop the ball and break the “movie magic” that I went in expecting.

Acting - Very Good 3.5

While Clint Eastwood gives a great performance, much of the supporting cast gave what I felt to be amateur performances similar to what I saw in high school plays. The three guys who harass Sue and her “boyfriend” are embarassing as bully/gangsters; and many members of the “Hmong” cast don’t get far past that level. And yet, at other times, there are moments of really good acting. Unfortunately, the bad acting was a nearly constant reminder throughout the entire movie that I was watching a movie rather than a true situation.

Male Stars - Very Good 3.5

Female Stars - Very Good 3.5

Female Costars - Very Good 3.5

Male Costars - Very Good 3.5

Film - Good 3.0

Direction - Good 3.0

The direction at some parts is quite good; at other times, it is completely amateur and lacking in direction. For example, when the three guys are bullying Sue, their actions and dialogue are hopelessly unrealistic and missing any "help from the director." The lacks in good direction pulled me out of the movie several times, and made it hard to believe in the movie as a whole.

Dialogue - Good 3.0

Music - Very Good 3.5

Visuals - OK 2.5

Edge - Sordid 3.0

Sex Innocent 1.0

Violence Brutal 3.0

Some brutal scenes, some implied absolutely horrible scenes, and one intense scene.

Rudeness Vile 5.0

There is a shit ton of swearing in this movie. There is also more use of racial slurs and bigotry in this movie than in any other movie I have ever seen.

Reality - Natural 1.0

Circumstantial - Natural 1.0

Biological - Natural 1.0

Physical - Natural 1.0

2 Comments

  • MJ5K Nov 6, 2009 7:31PM

    Yeah, it really was a triumph considering it was ol’ Clint’s last movie as an actor.

  • Wick Aug 24, 2009 8:26PM

    Regarding MetalJunky5000’s Review
    As someone who also thought Gran Torino was Perfect, welcome to the club. Like you said “this is right up there with some of the best movies I’ve ever seen.” I agree, though it’s interesting that several other WikPik reviewers – some of whom I have on my Trusted list – didn’t agree. Go figure.

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