Gran Torino (2008)

Director:

Clint Eastwood

Writers (WGA):

Nick Schenk (screenplay)
Dave Johannson (story) ...

Release Date:

9 January 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

Disgruntled Korean War vet Walt Kowalski sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Kowalski's prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino.

Plot Keywords:

Gang | Hmong | Widower | Old Man | Korean War Veteran

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Clint Eastwood	...	Walt Kowalski
Christopher Carley	...	Father Janovich
Bee Vang	...	Thao Vang Lor
Ahney Her	...	Sue Lor
Brian Haley	...	Mitch Kowalski
Geraldine Hughes	...	Karen Kowalski
Dreama Walker	...	Ashley Kowalski
Brian Howe	...	Steve Kowalski
John Carroll Lynch	...	Barber Martin
William Hill	...	Tim Kennedy
Brooke Chia Thao	...	Vu
Chee Thao	...	Grandma
Choua Kue	...	Youa
Scott Eastwood	...	Trey (as Scott Reeves)
Xia Soua Chang	...	Kor Khue

Also Known As:

Gran Torino (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for language throughout, and some violence.

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA | Germany | Australia

Language:

English | Hmong | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #44954) | Finland:K-15 | UK:15 | Czech Republic:12 | Australia:M | South Korea:12 | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:R16 | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Greece:K-13 | Singapore:NC-16 (cut) | Norway:15 | Argentina:13 | Spain:13 | Hong Kong:IIB | Germany:12 (f) | Brazil:14 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Sweden:15 | Peru:14 | Mexico:B | Denmark:11 | Austria:12 | France:U | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Center Line, Michigan, USA

Company:

Matten Productions

Trivia:

The Gran Torino car of the title was also the car used in the 70s cop show "Starsky and Hutch" (1975). David Soul acted with Eastwood in the Dirty Harry sequel Magnum Force (1973) playing another cop two years before he landed the part of Detective Ken Hutchinson in "Starsky and Hutch" (1975). Eastwood himself drove a Ford Torino sedan in The Enforcer (1976/I).

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): In the church, Walt's grandchildren genuflect (kneel briefly and make sign of the cross while facing the altar). In the Catholic religion, the cross is made with the right hand. The granddaughter crosses herself with her left hand.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Al: God, I am sorry for Dorothy, Walt. She was a real peach.
Walt Kowalski: Thanks for coming, Al.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

We Don't F* Around

Amazing Film...Eastwood deserves an Oscar!!!

I saw the film and it was unbelievable. Clint Eastwood will have you laughing so hard you almost pee yourself while at the same time breaking your heart and making you want to cry. The movie takes you on a roller-coaster ride and the entire theater stood up in applause afterward. I highly recommend this film and if Eastwood doesn't get nominated for an Oscar something is truly wrong!!! The screening I saw was held at the Writer's Guild, so the room was filled with SAG, WGA, DGA, and other industry related people who I would wage know their movies. At points the entire room was laughing so loud I couldn't hear, and then minutes later all you could hear were the sniffles from people crying. The film has drama, comedy, and action and Clint Eastwood really creates a character that you care about and cheer for...again!