Gran Torino (2008)
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A prejudiced Korean War veteran finds an unexpected bond with a local Hmong teenager after a confrontation over a prized car.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Walt Kowalski, a prejudiced Korean War veteran, lives in a Detroit neighborhood populated by Hmong immigrants. After thwarting a theft attempt on his 1972 Ford Gran Torino by a local gang, Walt begins to mentor Thao Vang Lor, the boy who tried to steal the car. Despite his initial prejudices, Walt forms a bond with the Vang Lor family and even rescues Thao's sister, Sue. As Walt's health declines due to a chronic cough, he remains a stoic figure until a violent escalation occurs. After the gang assaults Thao and Sue, an enraged Thao seeks Walt's help for revenge. Walt prepares for a final confrontation, confessing to a priest before confronting the gang. During the confrontation, Walt is shot and killed by the gang members while attempting to show them he is unarmed. In his will, Walt leaves his house to the church and his prized car to Thao. The film ends with Thao driving the Gran Torino along Lake Shore Drive with Walt's dog, Daisy.
- First release year
- 2008
- Runtime (minutes)
- 116
- Production countries
- United States; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English; Hmong
- Directors
- Clint Eastwood
- Writers
- Nick Schenk · screenplay; Dave Johannson · story; Nick Schenk · story
- Cast and characters
- Clint Eastwood · Walt Kowalski; Bee Vang · Thao Vang Lor; Ahney Her · Sue Lor; Christopher Carley · Father Janovich; Doua Moua · Fong "Spider"; Sonny Vue · Smokie; Elvis Thao · Hmong Gangbanger No. 1; Brian Haley · Mitch Kowalski
- Genres
- drama; crime
- Themes
- prejudice; multicultural inclusion; aging; redemption
- Tone and mood
- drama; somber; tense
- Premise and plot tags
- road movie; buddy film; war veteran; cultural clash
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics who noted Eastwood's direction and performance, while it received some criticism for its inaccurate depiction of the Hmong community.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 81% · scale: percentage · review count: 237; Metacritic · score: 72 · scale: 100 · review count: 34
- Awards and nominations
- Best Actor · National Board of Review · Win; Best Actor · Broadcast Film Critics Association (Critics' Choice Awards) · Nomination; Best Actor · Chicago Film Critics Association Awards · Nomination; Best Original Song · Golden Globe Award · Nomination; contemporary film category · Art Directors Guild · Nomination; Best Foreign Film · César Awards · Win
- Production trivia
- The film features a significant Hmong American cast, a first for mainstream American films.; The production received a 42-percent tax credit from the State of Michigan.; The film was included in the German Abitur as part of the 'The Ambiguity of Belonging' topic.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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