Clint Eastwood's 'best movie' leaves fans saying 'everything is great'

A 2008 Clint Eastwood film has long been considered a standout in his decades-spanning career - but in recent years, fans have taken to praising it as his very best.

Set in a working-class Detroit neighbourhood, Gran Torino follows Walt Kowalski, a recently widowed Korean War veteran who lives alone with his beloved 1972 Ford Gran Torino - a car he helped build during his time on the Ford assembly line.

Estranged from his family and frustrated by the changes in his community, Walt is initially hostile to his Hmong-American neighbours. But when teenage Thao attempts to steal his car under gang pressure, Walt steps in.

What begins as a confrontation gradually evolves into a meaningful relationship, with Walt becoming a reluctant mentor to Thao and his sister Sue.

Directed, produced, and starring Clint Eastwood, the film was written by Nick Schenk, based on a story by Schenk and Dave Johannson. It was made on a modest $33 million budget and became a major commercial success, earning over $270 million worldwide.

Eastwood insisted on casting Hmong American actors in key roles to accurately reflect the community depicted in the film. Bee Vang (Thao) and Ahney Her (Sue) were both newcomers to acting but delivered naturalistic performances praised by critics and audiences alike.

Although the film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, it was embraced by viewers around the world. On Rotten Tomatoes, fans continue to share glowing reviews: "Easily Clint Eastwood's best. A piece of true cinema... Perhaps the best movie I have ever seen."

"Must-see movie that has strong themes of acceptance and love. It has funny moments and also some extremely emotional moments", one wrote. Another chimed in with "Watching this now in 2024... Eastwood shows you can be masculine, do the right thing, and find peace. A great redemption story."

The film was nominated for several awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Original Song for 'Gran Torino', performed by Eastwood and jazz artist Jamie Cullum. It also earned a César nomination for Best Foreign Film and was awarded Best Actor by the National Board of Review.

For many, Gran Torino is Eastwood at his most thoughtful and restrained, with one viewer summing it up simply: "This movie is a masterpiece. Beautifully written, directed, and acted. Powerful ending."

With a fresh score of 81%, Gran Torino (2008) is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.