Gran Torino - Review

Rating: 9/10 (30 November 2011)

(This review may contain spoilers) The widower Walt Kowalski is a living in Michigan Korean War veteran, full of prejudices, who has just lost his wife Dorothy. He is one of the last Americans of European descent in his neighborhood, has no good relationship with his sons and their families and is therefore a lonely man. When Thao the neighbor boy is forced by his cousin to join its gang, he must steal the Gran Torino of Walt as entrance examination. But he gets caught by Walt and his family is ashamed of this incident. Later, Walt rescues Thao first exposed and then his sister Sue against gang members and sees the gratitude of the neighborhood. On the birthday of Walt Sue invited him to their family celebration and he slowly begins to take a kind of neighborly relationship and helps Thao get a job. He recognizes, however, that the gang terrorized the neighborhood and after an attack by the gang, Walt decides to take a decisive step. He goes to the gang and provoked them until they have shot him. At the End Thao become the Gran Torino and not the family of Walt.
Walt Kowalski is a bad-tempered old man who had once worked in a car factory. He is also is full of prejudices and do not like foreigners. He likes to drink beer and to speak sometimes with his dog. Thao is a shy young man who submits to other people, and doesn't give commands to other people. He does all, what others tell him. Sue is a live friendly person who likes to go to other people and speak to them without fear. For example: She is the only one in her family who speaks with Walt without fear. Pater Janovich is a friendly person who is aged between 30 to 40 years. He is helpful and listens to other people with their problems.
The camera always shows to the person who speaks at the moment. The camera only shows the "importantest" of all. No unnecessary things that could belong to the film. Only what suits the plot.
Why is the title of the film "Gran Torino"? The choice for the film car fell on a Ford Torino, because the screenwriter Nick Schenk lived near a Ford factory.
Why is the car so important for Walt? Because he had worked in a car factory and had built his own car together. That is why the car is very valuable to him.
A very watchable film with humor, sadness and drama.