Gran Torino (2008)
Drama |
Gran Torino is a American drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also starred in the film. The film co-stars Christopher Carley, Bee Vang and Ahney Her. This was Eastwood’s first starring role since 2004’s Million Dollar Baby. The film features a large Hmong American cast, as well as one of Eastwood’s younger sons, Scott. Eastwood’s oldest son, Kyle, provided the score. Set in Highland Park, Michigan, it is the first mainstream American film to feature Hmong Americans. Many Lao Hmong war refugees resettled in the U.S. following the communist takeover of Laos in 1975.
The story follows Walt Kowalski, a recently widowed Korean War veteran alienated from his family and angry at the world. Walt’s young neighbor, Thao Vang Lor, is pressured by his cousin into stealing Walt’s prized 1972 Ford Gran Torino for his initiation into a gang. Walt thwarts the theft with his M1 Garand rifle and subsequently develops a relationship with the boy and his family.
Walt Kowalski is a cantankerous, retired Polish American assembly line worker and Korean War veteran, who has recently been widowed after 50 years of marriage, causing him to be a lapsed Catholic. His home in Highland Park, which was formerly populated by working-class white families, is now dominated by poor Asian immigrants, and gang violence is commonplace. Adding to his isolation and detachment are his feelings towards his married sons and their families.
He rejects a suggestion from one of his sons to move to a retirement community, and lives alone with his elderly dog, Daisy. Walt suffers from coughing fits, occasionally coughing up blood, but conceals this from his family. Catholic priest Father Janovich tries to comfort him, but Walt disdains the young, inexperienced man. Eventually, Walt opens up to the priest, revealing that he is still haunted by memories of the war.
Director: Clint Eastwood
Writers: Nick Schenk (story & screenplay), Dave Johannson (story)
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Christopher Carley, Ahney Her, Brian Haley, Geraldine Hughes, Dreama Walker
►Cast:
| 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 |
| Sonny Vue | … | Smokie |
| Doua Moua | … | Spider |
| Greg Trzaskoma | … | Bartender |
| John Johns | … | Al |
| Davis Gloff | … | Darrell |
| Thomas D. Mahard | … | Mel (as Tom Mahard) |
| Cory Hardrict | … | Duke |
| Nana Gbewonyo | … | Monk |
| Arthur Cartwright | … | Prez |
| Austin Douglas Smith | … | Daniel Kowalski |
| Conor Liam Callaghan | … | David Kowalski |
| Michael E. Kurowski | … | Josh Kowalski (as Michael Kurowski) |
| Julia Ho | … | Dr. Chu |
| Maykao K. Lytongpao | … | Gee |
| Carlos Guadarrama | … | Head Latino |
| Andrew Tamez-Hull | … | Latino Gangbanger |
| Ramon Camacho | … | Latino Gangbanger (as Rámon Camacho) |
| Antonio Mireles | … | Latino Gangbanger |
| Ia Vue Yang | … | Hmong Flower Woman |
| Zoua Kue | … | Hmong Flower Woman |
| Elvis Thao | … | Hmong Gangbanger |
| Jerry Lee | … | Hmong Gangbanger |
| Lee Mong Vang | … | Hmong Gangbanger |
| Tru Hang | … | Hmong Grandfather |
| Alice Lor | … | Hmong Granddaughter |
| Tong Pao Kue | … | Hmong Husband |
| Douacha Ly | … | Hmong Man |
| Parng D. Yarng | … | Hmong Neighbor |
| Nelly Yang Sao Yia | … | Hmong Wife |
| Marty Bufalini | … | Lawyer |
| My-Ishia Cason-Brown | … | Muslim Receptionist |
| Clint Ward | … | Officer |
| Stephen Kue | … | Officer Chang |
| Rochelle Winter | … | Waitress |
| Claudia Rodgers | … | White Woman Neighbor |
| Vincent Bonasso | … | Tailor |
| Sean Baligian | … | Old Man on Porch |
| Darline Bucchare | … | Church member |
| Shelagh Conley | … | Extra |
| Jeffrey Feingold | … | Neighbor |
| William C. Fox | … | Family Friend |
| Vong Lee | … | Hmong Neighbor With Baby |
| Arnold Montey | … | Family Friend |
| Rio Scafone | … | Family Friend |
| Jeffrey Scott Basham | … | Man on Street |
| Tony Stef’Ano | … | Man on Street |
| Carey Torrice | … | Blonde |
| Kevin Walsh | … | Extra – Hardware Store exterior |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia