Gran Torino

A closer look at the story

Gran Torino follows Walt Kowalski, a veteran of the Korean War. Since the death of his wife, Walt has drifted even further from his sons. Sour and cantankerous, he is displeased with almost everyone: his grandchildren, his sons, the young priest who keeps pressing him to make his confession and the family living next door. The only thing that still brings him joy is his cherished old Gran Torino. One day Thao, the teenage son of the family next door, tries to steal the treasured car. After the attempted theft, Walt decides to take the boy in hand and set him straight. What he does not yet realise is that this decision will lead him to an unexpected friendship, one that will make him leave his prejudices behind. Clint Eastwood directed this 116-minute drama from 2008, made with German co-production support from a script by Nick Schenk, and stars in it as Walt Kowalski. Christopher Carley, Bee Vang, Ahney Her and Brian Haley also appear.