Gran Torino (15)

VETERAN actor/director Clint Eastwood makes his first return to the big screen since his Oscar-winning triumph, Million Dollar Baby.

In GRAN TORINO (15) - possibly his last acting role - Eastwood stars as Walt Kowalski, an inflexible former Korean War soldier who is forced by his immigrant neighbours to confront his long-held prejudices.

Walt fills his days with DIY, beer and monthly trips to the barber. He keeps his M1 rifle cleaned and ready and trusts no one except his dog.

His former neighbours have all moved or died and been replaced by immigrants from south east Asia - people he despises. He's resentful of everything - the ultimate grumpy old man.

And then one night, someone tries to steal his car.

Walt stops the gang and becomes a reluctant hero in his neighbourhood. Gradually that one incident helps to break down the barriers.

Eastwood, who also produces and directs the film, says: "I hadn't planned on doing much more acting, really. But this film had a role that was my age and the character seemed like it was tailored for me, even though it wasn't.

"And I liked the script. It has twists and turns, and also some good laughs."

The film is the first major movie to portray people from the Hmong community - an ethnic tribe spread among the hills of Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. Many were taken to the US as refugees at the end of the Vietnam War because they had helped the American forces.

Eastwood was determined to be as authentic as possible and so cast an exclusively Hmong cast for their roles.