Clint Eastwood is one of my all time heroes both as an actor and as adirector so I was really looking forward to watching this film in whichhe does both jobs. He also has a knack for depicting the crack in theAmerican dream as illustrated by Million Dollar Baby, Mystic River, TheUnforgiven, and so forth -- but this time the whole thing appeared tobe more about racist Paleface Clint becoming a better person thananything else, so I came away somewhat disappointed.
In what might well be Clint's final acting performance (he is beginningto look old and creaky) I witnessed a rehash of all the Dirty Harry andman with no name stuff under the guise of an old man who seeminglycares for no one and is tough as nails but underneath is a real softy.He retains all his well established celluloid courage as an old dog ofwar that keeps the young and fit criminals in their place.
The way he wins over the Asian neighbors that he keeps insulting andturning away really stretches your imagination. But at least theintention is good and it is refreshing to see his exchanges with theuntiring Catholic priest who does his utmost to get him to confess andsave his soul.
In a finale reminiscent of John Wayne in "The Shootist," Clint commitspublic suicide and apparently places his faith with a number ofwitnesses that had up to that point been very wary to report anythingon the criminal gangs for fear of retribution. Personally, I thought ita pointless suicide. I'd much rather have seen Clint go out blastingaway and taking with him a few bad eggs. But that is my obviously verysubjective viewpoint.
I am giving this film a 7 but 6.5 would be closer to the mark. MayClint live many more years and direct many more great films. This oneand The Changeling have provided blips on the lower side of the qualitygraph but they are still well worth admission price.
