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Gran Torino (2008)

 -  Drama  -  9 January 2009 (USA)
8.2
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Ratings: 8.2/10 from 328,564 users   Metascore: 72/100
Reviews: 791 user | 338 critic | 34 from Metacritic.com

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.

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(screenplay), (story), 1 more credit »
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Title: Gran Torino (2008)

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Top 250 #126 | Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 19 wins & 8 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Sue
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Vu
Chee Thao ...
Choua Kue ...
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Trey (as Scott Reeves)
Xia Soua Chang ...
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Storyline

Walt Kowalski is a widower who holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Michigan neighborhood and the world around him. Kowalski is a grumpy, tough-minded, unhappy an old man, who can't get along with either his kids or his neighbors, a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 Gran Torino he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbor Thao, a young Hmong teenager under pressure from his gang member cousin, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Thao's family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them from the gangs that infest their neighborhood. Written by alfiehitchie

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, and some violence | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

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Language:

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Release Date:

9 January 2009 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Гран Торино  »

Box Office

Budget:

$33,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£332,877 (UK) (20 February 2009)

Gross:

$148,085,755 (USA) (12 June 2009)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot in 33 days, scheduled for 35. See more »

Goofs

Walt has Thao paint the neighbors house. The painted house is clearly visible at one stage. Near the end of the movie, when Walt is mowing his lawn, the new layer of paint disappears. See more »

Quotes

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

Crazy Credits

The credits scroll over a highway overlooking the lake shore, with the Warner Logo appearing in black and white. See more »


Soundtracks

"The Bartender"
Written by Renzo Mantovani
Performed by Renzo Mantovani and Doug Webb
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Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
Great whether in front or behind the camera.
15 December 2008 | by (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews

Hot on the heels of 'Changeling' Eastwood is back and as well as directing he is back in front of the camera. He plays Walt Kowalski a recently widowed ex-Vietnam veteran who harbours slight racism and bitterness which isn't helped by the changing world he now lives in alone. He has relatives but they only seem to call when they want something and his grandkids have already started deciding what they will have of his when he dies. He has a few mates he drinks with in the pub but other than that his neighbourhood is being overrun by immigrants and gang warfare. Walt's next door neighbours are a Hmong family with no father figure and after the son tries to steal his prize car, the 'Grand Torino' of the title, Walt decides to try and reform the boy and hopefully as time passes learn about their culture and change his mind before he dies. As with all Eastwood films where you begin isn't where you will end up and the story takes many turns that will test all of your emotions, I laughed, I cried and I got angry it's a real roller-coaster. But its Clint's aged 'Dirty Harry' in Walt that steals the show and anytime he is on screen he is mesmerising which means that the supporting cast members are barely noticeable. At times it plays like Lynch's 'Straight Story' with sprinkles of 'Taxi Driver' but the real beauty is in the old fashioned storytelling, something that Clint is a dab hand at, mix that with the modern day context and you have a gripping and enthralling film. It's no wonder that so many 'best of year' lists contain this film, they should, it is that good and it proves that even at 78 Eastwood is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to movies in front or behind the camera or in the case of 'Grand Torino' both.


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Political Correctness gone amok? disquieter6
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