Posted on 01/11/2009 8:39:37 AM PST by GonzoII
During the post-Vatican II push for more "relevant" religion classes, students in my high school "Theology of the Film" course trooped off to see Dirty Harry -- the 1971 drama starring Clint Eastwood as the police lieutenant who violates the law, including the torture of suspects, to protect San Franciscans from a wily serial killer.
Afterward, we held the requisite classroom debate on whether Harry was justified in taking the law into his own hands. Most of us teenagers didn't quite understand the point of the discussion -- Harry did what he had to do, right? But our teacher, a Dominican nun, appeared to be quite torn up.
The memory of that futile classroom exercise surfaced again while I watched Gran Torino, the compelling new film that showcases Eastwood's unique gifts as an actor and director.
Eastwood has vowed that his staring role in Gran Torino will be his final onscreen performance. Thus, filmgoers who savor his austere vision of the autonomous individual establishing his own code of morality may find themselves approaching Dirty Harry and Gran Torino as ideal bookends for his cinematic career. Indeed, as Eastwood surely intended, Dirty Harry's moral dilemma is unexpectedly and memorably resolved in Gran Torino, the tale of Walt Kowalski, a retired autoworker confronting a violent gang and his own morality.
Taken together, the two films provide a compelling exploration of the impact of time and experience on moral action, both individually and collectively.
This is a subject that deeply interests Catholics. Revelation provides us with the essential truths we need to properly navigate the world. Yet our interpretation of these truths is not fixed. The pilgrimage progresses and awareness deepens, opening up new vistas and opportunities for transcendence.
(Excerpt) Read more at insidecatholic.com ...
Ping.
Saddened that he is saying this is his last performance. I will miss him. A dying breed of conservative values in Hollywood.
saw it last night and loved it. Great movie!
For obvious reasons.
I took the family to see Twilight last night. A pretty decent movie.
Killer movie.. great performance(s) by many..
Turning the other check is contrary to all game theory.
God gave us love of self so we would defend ourselves, and contunue to do his works.
Do not confuse your enemy with your neighbor.
Give ‘em hell, Harry!
My gal and I went last night as well. Very good film and performance by Mr. Eastwood. I remarked after the film that I wondered if this was his swan song much like John Wayne’s Shootist.
I thought Gran Torino sucked! I was anticipating his film, as have I always, but it focused to much on his growling and not enough on his acting.
kids learn some new words?
Got dragged unwillingly to this flick last night. It wasn’t anything that I expected.
Best picture I have seen in years!
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=gran+torino&hl=en&emb=0&aq=0&oq=gran+#
I highly recommend this movie. One of the best I’ve seen in a very, very long time.
The final two paragraphs:
"Christ adjured his disciples to turn the other cheek; democratic societies depend upon their citizens' adherence to the rule of law. Yet in the thick of warfare -- tracking a San Francisco serial killer, resisting a North Korean military assault, or battling a gang in Detroit -- such assumptions appear dangerously naïve. Turn the other cheek, wait for the police to handle the bad guys, and leave the vulnerable undefended."
"Harry Callahan tires of walking this tightrope and turns in his badge. Almost a half century later, Walt Kowalski takes a different path. Gran Torino proposes a radical response to the problem of evil in the world. Americans, Catholics included, may find themselves embracing Walt's choice."
I certainly hope he is not retiring.
I haven't decided whether to see it or not. What did you like about it?
I certainly hope he is not retiring. My stepfather (an actor as well) retired, and went into writing. He tried to get back into the business and was told by an agent they had never heard of him. He (my stepfather) has been on the silver screen and TV for over 40 years.
I haven’t seen it yet, will probably wait till it’s on DVD.
No sure if I’ll agree with your assessment. I’ve been a fan since Clint’s days wearing a poncho, and not saying much, for Sergio Leone.
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