Sure it's got some implausible story points, so what! Who doesn't want to see a modern-day older and dirtier Harry? There's a saying that goes "Old age and treachery always overcome youth and skill." Waylon Jennings even sang a song about it. This movie embodies it in the highest form of wish fulfillment for young and old, both.
Clint Eastwood is a fearless actor and director in portraying himself in the harsh light of old age. I don't know if you, reader, remember Eastwood as a young actor, but he was beautiful. I have so much respect for him because through the years he has never flinched when it comes to showing his age onscreen. In Gran Torino he is and plays a man in his late 70's, with a face worthy of a character who has seen a lot of life, a lot of death, and has developed a very narrow opinion about what is valuable in human relationships.
Just a short aside here on the matter of suspension of disbelief. In order to really enjoy this story, there are a few things you have to accept about the movie world. For instance, that asians might be good natured enough to put up with scathing name-calling in their own home; that the Christian mythology, which hasn't served a man for 78 or so years, suddenly might become his guiding force; and most of all, that a gang might consist of only about 6 thugs, whose elimination would presumably end their violence against any opponent.
And if you can accept those things, then this is a well crafted story. Walt Kowalski allows himself to progress from an opinionated, growling (really!) racist, to a man who deeply cares for his asian neighbors. He also goes from a man resigned to guarding his lawn, to a man who ferociously protects the strangers he has come to love.
And he kicks ass.
Gran Torino is a Warner Brothers movie starring and directed by Clint Eastwood.
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