Gran Torino (2008)

User Rating:

8.4/10   

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 | Old Man | Korean War Veteran | Widower

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 | Spain:13 | Argentina: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:

Open casting calls for Hmong actors were held in Hmong communities in Detroit, Michigan; Saint Paul, Minnesota; and Fresno, California. Only Doua Moua had been in a film before.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the beginning we see that the houses around Walt need painting. At 1:11:00, while the kid is gardening, we see the backs of the three houses next to Walt's that don't need paint.

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 "De wereld draait door: (#4.120)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

The Bartender

An absolute cinematic gem!

As Clint Eastwood reaches the end of his life, he presents us with yet another performance which is nothing short of legendary. Wishing to preserve the element of surprise, I will not reveal anything by trying to analyse this great work of art.

I will say this. There are similar qualities to his previous work, but I would say that both his directing and acting have reached a level of maturity comparable to that of an excellent wine. The story was compelling and, mixed with the drama was a refined touch of humour; the perfect combination for a pleasant evening.

I would like to finish by thanking Mr. Eastwood for sharing this touching moment with his audience at a time when most of the cinematic "art" produced in Hollywood consists of stunts and bad jokes.