Gran Torino (2008)

Disgruntled Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski sets out to reform his neighbor, 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 #163 | Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 20 wins & 17 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 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, 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 | teenager | widower | gang rape | hmong | 

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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:

Гран Торино

Filming Locations:

13140 Charlevoix St, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$33,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$271,720, 14 December 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$148,095,302, 18 June 2009

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$269,958,228, 18 June 2009

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

Eastwood's character is a Korean War veteran, which he has played in other movies such as Heartbreak Ridge (1986) and Absolute Power (1997). In real life, the actor's penchant for dropping ambiguous Korean War references is considered audacious by those who know him, because for his entire stint in the army he was a lifeguard at the Post Swimming Pool at Fort Ord in California. He never set foot in Korea.

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Goofs

When Walt calls his son after his doctor appointment, the first scene shows him holding the phone to his right ear and the next shot is to his left ear. It is possible he changed sides during the conversation.

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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 Spike's Guys Choice (2009)

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Soundtracks

Maybe So
Written by Renzo Mantovani
Performed by Renzo Mantovani and Doug Webb

User Reviews

One of the best movies I've seen in years

This is a poignant, beautiful movie, maybe the best film Eastwood has ever done. The characters are fully drawn, believable, and resonate true human emotion. I at first was put off by the idea of seeing a movie about an old racist, but when I saw the numbers of people attending the screenings, I thought there must be something there, so I went to the Arclight in Hollywood, where the theater was packed. Crusty old Kowalski, a Korean war veteran, now living in run down Detroit, hates the Vietnamese immigrants that have moved next door to him. As time goes on, he gets to know them, and the bond that forms is wonderful, and spiritual. There was not a dry eye in the house when the movie ended. I won't give the ending away, but suffice it to say this is a truly wonderful story, one that you will love and tell your friends to see. If you're looking for one of those great movie experiences that so rarely comes along, you'll not find a better film to see than this.