Spoiler Alert

Rating: Null/10 (16 June 2012)

The film Gran Torino takes place in Detroit, Michigan. The main character is Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood.) Kowalski is an old man that is very set in his ways. He is a Korean War veteran and a retired factory worker. Walt is also a racist and overall, not a very loving man. The film starts with the death of Walt's wife and his general dislike of nearly everyone. When Father Janovich (Christopher Carley) sees Walt as a "lost sheep," he tries to shepherd him back. Walt is as stubborn as a stubborn person can be. He thinks that his two boys are lazy and can't stand the lifestyle that his grandchildren live. He does not like people that are not white Americans and this becomes problematic as he lives in a part of Detroit that was once a prosperous part of town, full of hard working, white factory workers. Now, he is surrounded by poor, Asian people. He still harbors hatred towards Asian/Oriental people from his time in the Korean War.
When Walt meets Thao Vang Lor(Bee Vang), it is under poor circumstances. Thao is a young and impressionable kid that is looking for something. He does not have a father figure in his life. He is influenced by the local gang and peer pressured into trying to steal the Ford Gran Torino that belongs to Walt. Walt catches Thao in the act and has him within the sights of his locked and loaded M-1 Garand.
Walt does not shoot Thao. Thao's mother is grateful and makes Thao work for Walt in an effort to make things right. The two work together and develop a decent relationship. Neither of the two changes within their way of thinking about life, but they both seem to respect each other.
When the local gang sees that they have failed in recruiting Thao, they become more violent. They kidnap and rape his sister. Thao is infuriated and wants revenge. Walt understands what it takes to kill a man. He is haunted from his Korean War experience and does not want Thao to have the same issues.
Walt tricks Thao into his basement and locks him in to prevent him from seeing what needed to be done. Walt confronts the gang members and ultimately tricks them into shooting him when he is unarmed. This puts them all into prison without killing them. Walt seems to be at peace with this decision and ultimately gives his most prized possession to Thao.
The lighting of this film is very important. The lighting seems to go towards the attitude of Walt. The beginning is dark and his wife just passed away. The middle is very bright and takes place during the day. This time is when Walt begins to like Thao. The ending of the film takes place at night and this is when Walt dies.
The angle of the film is also very important. The view is shot from the same perspective. We are introduced to Walt early and often. He is not apologetic for the way he is. He simply is the way he is.
The overall theme relates closely to The Karate Kid. The role of Walt and Mr. Miyagi is very similar. The role of Thao and Daniel is also very similar.