Gran Torino (2008)

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

Director:

Clint Eastwood

Writers:

Nick Schenk (screenplay), Dave Johannson (story)

Stars:

Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Christopher Carley

Top Rated Movies #176 | Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 21 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Clint Eastwood	...	Walt Kowalski
Christopher Carley	...	Father Janovich
Bee Vang	...	Thao
Ahney Her	...	Sue
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

Storyline

Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) 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 old man who can't get along with either his kids or his neighbors. He is a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 Gran Torino he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbor Thao Lor (Bee Vang), 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.

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Plot Keywords:

gang | widower | gang rape | teenager | street gang | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English Hmong

Release Date:

9 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gran Torino

Filming Locations:

13140 Charlevoix St, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$33,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$271,720, 14 December 2008

Gross USA:

$148,095,302

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$269,958,228

Company Credits

Production Co:

Matten Productions, Double Nickel Entertainment, Gerber Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The license plate seen, when Thao (Bee Vang)) and Walt (Clint Eastwood) are moving the freezer up the stairs, is a Michigan Bicentennial plate from 1976 (KWZ959).

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Goofs

When Walt goes downstairs during the barbecue, he places his beer on the washing machine. In the next shot, the beer is in his hand.

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Quotes

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

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Featured in The 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards (2009)

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Soundtracks

All My Hmong Mutha F*kaz
Written and Performed by Buddah
Courtesy of Kingpen Records

User Reviews

Clint Eastwood shows you why he still should be in FRONT of the camera

With his performance Eastwood shows you why people like himself, Jack Nicholson, or Paul Newman only come around once in a lifetime. Though Eastwood would rather focus on directing, he can still carry a movie with his on screen presence, and he's pure dynamite in "Gran Torino". Perhaps the poor box office results of "hollywoody" movies like Absolute Power, True Crime, Space Cowboys, and Blood Work, caused Eastwood to shy away from acting, but given cutting edge material to work with as "Million Dollar Baby" and "Gran Torino", he's as good as ever. His character as the racist and salty war vet makes you think of that old guy we've all had on our blocks with the garbage door open, the million tools hanging everywhere, and always fixing or building something. I found myself not wanting the movie to end because the scenes between himself and the various Hmong characters where priceless. There may be complaints over the racist remarks and scenes, but Eastwood pulls it off in a way a real person like that would talk or act to a point where it ends up being lighthearted. I'm not going to give the plot away, but if you like your Clint Eastwood as a hard-nosed tough guy with foul language alla Dirty Harry or Heartbreak Ridge, you'll love this movie!!