Gran Torino (2008)

Excellent drama directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who stars as Walt Kowalski, a grumpy, racist old Korean War veteran who slowly begins to confront his prejudices. 

Eastwood is ideal in this role, which is perfectly tuned to his career-long preoccupations with violence, machismo and protocol. 

Bee Vang and Ahney Her are excellent as the Hmong teenagers living next door to him in Michigan. There’s humour and compassion in the way that Kowalski first clashes with them and ultimately wants to defend them from the forces of oppression that he sees taking over America.