20 Incredible Film Performances That Didn't Get The Credit They Deserved
15. Clint Eastwood - Gran Torino (2008)
The iconic Clint Eastwood plays off the baggage accumulated over six decades in Hollywood to deliver a performance that both highlights and deconstructs his on-screen persona. One of the biggest hits of the actor's illustrious career, Gran Torino grossed almost $270m worldwide and saw Eastwood give arguably his best performance since Unforgiven. As the recently widowed war veteran, Eastwood is both sympathetic and hilarious. Surrounded by neighbors he'd rather not deal with and a family that aren't interested, there is a real sense of isolation surrounding him. Of course, this is deftly balanced by a wonderful amount of profanity-laced one-liners. His hardened exterior begins to crack as he bonds with the family next door, going so far as to involve himself in local gang warfare. In what could have easily descended into overly-sentimental melodrama given the themes of mortality and religion, Eastwood's performance is haunting, imposing and self-deprecating all at once. Bizarrely, the movie and Eastwood's gripping turn were mostly ignored during awards season.
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