905
Most recent talks Film talks A-Z Before viewing talks Deep talks Sign up: email updates About the film talks Stay up on new talks Join the community
What's this site about? Inside out: Heart Inside out: Beauty Inside out: Love Thoughtful: a film's heart Thoughtful: film content Thoughtful: films to watch Who's behind this?
Register and login General PttH updates Film review sites Film site quick views Quotes The PttH seminar

Gran Torino (2008)

«
»

"Before viewing" talks introduce the film without spoilers. Watch it, then click on the "After viewing" talk for more. More»» by Randy Heffner

Why the film is worth your time

One could say that Gran Torino explores racism, but really racism is almost a red herring in the film’s exploration of alienation, sacrifice, caring, gratitude, and giving. Some praise the film, and some have derided the film’s script, directing, predictability, and more. Although its filmcraft is certainly not flawless, a charitable viewer focused on the power of Gran Torino’s story will, I believe, pick up on numerous things done well in the film that add to and reinforce that power. In this way, Gran Torino is a very impactful film that is definitely worth the time. Running time: 116 min.

It was long ago that Walt Kowalski worked in the Ford assembly plant. His prize possession from those days is a classic, 2-door, 1972 Gran Torino. Even longer ago, he moved into his neighborhood. But, his original neighbors have gone and, to Walt’s displeasure, Asians have moved in all around him. Like the Gran Torino sitting in his garage, he wants simply to be left alone, but this is not to be — not for him or the car. Asian gangs move in, and out comes Walt’s big gun. Afterwards, Walt receives an outpouring of gratitude — another unexpected intrusion he must deal with — that leads to entanglements he never dreamed of.

Gran Torino has intense scenes. Walt Kowalski is a cranky old man with off-color words to describe most everyone around him. Gang members treat others cruelly. The story includes gunplay, fistfighting, and the aftermath of sexual violence, with blood but little or no gore.

  • Director: Clint Eastwood
  • Screenplay: Nick Schenk, based on story by Dave Johannson and Nick Schenk
  • Leads: Clint Eastwood, Christopher Carley, Bee Vang, Ahney Her
  • Cinematography: Tom Stern
  • Music: Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens

Tags:

 October 7, 2009, 03:00 UTC (updated July 25, 2014, 21:01 UTC)
  Post a comment. Pings and trackbacks are closed.
 Follow comments on the talk via:  RSS — Atom.

Post a Comment

NOTE: Please do NOT put spoilers in comments on Before viewing talks.

You must be registered (it's easy) and logged in to post a comment. Why?

"After viewing" talks assume that you have seen the film. They will contain spoilers. More»» by Randy Heffner

How the film enriched and changed me

By putting our judgments of others in the context of responsibility and maturity, Gran Torino encourages me toward a nuanced understanding of my judgments and their appropriateness. But even more,

Read the rest of this entry »

Screenshots and dialog copyright © 2008 by the filmmakers.


Tags:

 October 7, 2009, 03:00 UTC (updated July 25, 2014, 21:01 UTC)
  Post a comment. Pings and trackbacks are closed.
 Follow comments on the talk via:  RSS — Atom.

Post a Comment

NOTE: It is okay to have spoilers in comments on After viewing talks — no warnings necessary.

You must be registered (it's easy) and logged in to post a comment. Why?

"Backstory" talks speak of things behind the film. Go to "Before" or "After" talks for the film itself. More»» by Randy Heffner

How the backstory adds to the film's impact

The part of the story around Gran Torino that I want to focus on doesn’t so much add to its impact. It’s about the impact of film more generally, based on how we engage with it. There’s an interesting dichotomy of opinion about Gran Torino that relates very much to the perspectives behind these film talks

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags:

 October 31, 2009, 13:59 UTC (updated July 25, 2014, 21:01 UTC)
  Post a comment. Pings and trackbacks are closed.
 Follow comments on the talk via:  RSS — Atom.

Post a Comment

NOTE: It is okay to have spoilers in comments on Backstory talks — no warnings necessary.

You must be registered (it's easy) and logged in to post a comment. Why?