Gran Torino (2008)

80% of critics liked it
(221 reviews)
90% of users liked it
(271,991 ratings)

A racist Korean War veteran living in a crime-ridden Detroit neighborhood is forced to confront his own lingering prejudice when a troubled Hmong teen from his neighborhood attempts to steal his prized Gran Torino. Decades after the Korean War has ended, ageing veteran Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood)… More A racist Korean War veteran living in a crime-ridden Detroit neighborhood is forced to confront his own lingering prejudice when a troubled Hmong teen from his neighborhood attempts to steal his prized Gran Torino. Decades after the Korean War has ended, ageing veteran Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is still haunted by the horrors he witnessed on the battlefield. The two objects that matter most to Kowalski in life are the classic Gran Torino that represents his happier days working in a Ford assembly plant, and the M-1 rifle that saved his life countless times during combat. When Kowalski's teenage neighbor (Bee Vang) attempts to steal his Gran Torino as part of a gang initiation rite, the old man manages to catch the aspiring thief at the business end of his well-maintained semi-automatic rifle. Later, due to the pride of the Asian group, the boy is forced to return to Kowalski's house and perform an act of penance. Despite the fact that Kowalski wants nothing to do with the young troublemaker, he realizes that the quickest way out of the situation is to simply cooperate. In an effort to set the teen on the right path in life and toughen him up, the reluctant vet sets him up with an old crony who now works in construction. In the process, Kowalski discovers that the only way to lay his many painful memories to rest is to finally face his own blinding prejudice head-on. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 10 min.
Directed By: Clint Eastwood
Written By: Nick Schenk
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jan 9, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Jun 9, 2009
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures/Village Roadshow

Critic Reviews

Christine Champ, Film.com
Though the film feels like a requiem, Kowalski's heart is still defiantly beating.
Richard Roeper, Richard Roeper.com
A brilliant commentary on a lot of earlier Clint Eastwood roles.
Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com
If Mt. Rushmore were to make a movie, it would probably look a lot like a Clint Eastwood movie.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
It is familiar, but only to a point. Suddenly, that point is past and much more serious questions come up, questions of responsibility, of vengeance, of the efficacy of blood for blood.
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
This is among his lesser recent movies, which doesn't diminish its likability. In fact, it's pleasing to see Eastwood working the middle of the emotional register for a change.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Eastwood's second film this year is a compelling study of anger and violence and the guilt and shame that shadow them. He has sat high in the saddle for decades, but rarely has he ridden so tall as in the driver's seat of Gran Torino.
Neil Pond, American Profile
Covers a lot of ground as it rolls: religion, the toll of war, mortality, what it means to be a man.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
Twenty minutes in, we know Walt is eventually going to give the car to the kid. The only question is how.
Mike Edwards, What Culture
This would be a fitting conclusion to a long and illustrious career.
Frank Wilkins, Frank's Reel Reviews
If the rumors of this being Eastwood's final turn in front of the camera are true, then Gran Torino is a brilliant send off.
Thomas Caldwell, Cinema Autopsy
Gran Torino is not Eastwood's best film as director or actor but it perfectly encapsulates his onscreen persona and his brilliant directorial career.
Mark Jenkins, NPR.org
Gran Torino is less a sleek hybrid than a multigenre pileup.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
Even this one-trick predictable pony is worth seeing when Eastwood is riding.
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina
After the clumsy beginning, the deft writing and excellent acting has so sunk you into your relationship with Walt and Sue and Thao that by the end, I loved this movie, but it took a while to snag me.
Jean-François Vandeuren, Panorama
Un film posé et d'une grande intelligence émotionnelle qui va au-delà des barrières des croyances ou des origines pour défendre une tradition tout simplement humaine.
Matt Soergel, Florida Times-Union
Take it for what it is: An old guy who gives himself one last juicy role as the flawed, haunted anti-hero, an old guy who's done this so often that he isn't above making himself look silly as well as heroic (he even croons the title song over the ending c
Sonny Bunch, Washington Times
If this is the end of the road for the Man With No Name, it's a memorable, winning way for him to go out.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Less a great film than a fascinating personal testament
Leo Goldsmith, Reverse Shot
Though Eastwood is not above self-deprecation and, here, downright silliness, Gran Torino is no orangutan movie.
Mark Pfeiffer, Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema
Like a new driver learning to operate a manual transmission, director Eastwood's awkward shifting of tones makes the lurching Gran Torino a frustrating ride.

Read all 21 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

John M

This is just a wonderful wonderful movie. From top to bottom the acting is amazing. Clint Eastwood at his best!
paul o

I feel that the fame that this film received was mostly from hype. The story is good but predictable. Not the best eastwood film but worth watching if you're a fan.
Graham J

Eastwood gives one of his best performances in this commentary on life and death.
Albert K

Clint Eastwood is incredible. I love the way he has always shot his movies and the pacing... but wow, all the other actors are horrendous. They seem like they were hired from amateur acting groups. It really detracted the audience from the realism and the drama of the movie.
moon r

Imagine a film with a 70's zeitgeist made today and you've got Eastwood's latest commentary on life in a changing America. The last hold out in a changing neighborhood reluctantly decides that the new kids on the block are American too, human, and so ... worth fighting… More
Imagine a film with a 70's zeitgeist made today and you've got Eastwood's latest commentary on life in a changing America. The last hold out in a changing neighborhood reluctantly decides that the new kids on the block are American too, human, and so ... worth fighting for. The inherent ideas carry this if not the execution and, of course, the grand old man himself.
Reid V

This is a joke right? Clint...come on. I see what you were going for but this film works only as a comedy. Any attempt to take this film seriously is quickly thwarted by the ridiculous and over the top dialogue delivered by an entourage of amateur actors.
Sam B

Eastwood himself does an unsurprisingly excellent job, especially considering that he has to singlehandedly carry the entire movie on his shoulders. The other main actors (Ahney Her and Bee Vang) are absolutely awful, and the dialogue is just as bad, with the exception of a handful of… More
Eastwood himself does an unsurprisingly excellent job, especially considering that he has to singlehandedly carry the entire movie on his shoulders. The other main actors (Ahney Her and Bee Vang) are absolutely awful, and the dialogue is just as bad, with the exception of a handful of well-timed humorous moments. In addition, the film is incredibly obvious and formulaic, thematically and plot-wise. Yet, despite all of these flaws, Eastwood's fierce role as the quintessential grumpy, racist old man makes Gran Torino worth watching.
Raymond W

Eventhough it may be a little predictable and some of the supporting actors could use some acting lessons, Gran Torino is a funny, touching story with a great performance from Clint Eastwood.
Eric A

"Get off my lawn". Loved the message of this film. Loved to see Clint Eastwood be a hard head, then soften up and finally show some love. Good movie.
Pierluigi P

Some have call it formulaic, predictable, sappy and over dramatic and I will not contradict them, but I had such a great time watching Eastwood doing his trademark gravely voice grumpy old man that I forgive him all the rest. If the old wise master of chiaroscuro buried his cowboy hat… More
Some have call it formulaic, predictable, sappy and over dramatic and I will not contradict them, but I had such a great time watching Eastwood doing his trademark gravely voice grumpy old man that I forgive him all the rest. If the old wise master of chiaroscuro buried his cowboy hat and pointed at the false myths and heroism of the west in "unforgiven", this time he clearly wanted to follow that same pattern with the macho cop-army man-dirty harry racist, neo fascist that he used to play in his prime years. Well done, old man, you'll always be the king of badass-es
Jens S

Clint Eastwood withdraws from acting (or so he says) with a bang. The role of the grumpy racist War veteran seeing his neighborhood going to waste in gang wars while surprisingly befriending the Korean family next to his house seems perfect for him. How his character gradually changes… More
Clint Eastwood withdraws from acting (or so he says) with a bang. The role of the grumpy racist War veteran seeing his neighborhood going to waste in gang wars while surprisingly befriending the Korean family next to his house seems perfect for him. How his character gradually changes from a bitter old men to a bit of a mentor and becomes more open minded is a pleasure to witness, and pretty amusing too, if you don't mind a lot of racist slurs. Ahney Her as the adorably sweet Sue is another great discovery of this film that lets you enjoy it's light-hearted moments before striking down with a tragic finale, that still makes sense just the way it is. A funny, touching, intelligent film that shows how important it is that Eastwood at least continues as director.
Brad W

Clint Eastwood was robbed of an Oscar. Not only is Gran Torino an amzing movie, its a truly heartfelt and inspirational movie to me. The plot is about Walt, an old timer whos wife just died and who isnt close to his family, but gains a friendship with a Korean boy and his family… More
Clint Eastwood was robbed of an Oscar. Not only is Gran Torino an amzing movie, its a truly heartfelt and inspirational movie to me. The plot is about Walt, an old timer whos wife just died and who isnt close to his family, but gains a friendship with a Korean boy and his family after he tries stealing his Gran Torino. But to protect his new family, he must save them from being taken by a gang of there cousins who are very horrible guys. This story was very good and it should have gotten more recognition. The intense scenes are great, and Clint Eastwood makes them even better. This movie has hardly any flaws and is one of 2008's best films.
Kase V

I consider Gran Torino a strong component to Eastwood's body of work. He seems to fire on all cylinders. Only the acting of dome its less celebrated stars needed some work. So many aspects of this film truly make it what it is, whether it be comedy, drama, or suspenseful. Good… More
I consider Gran Torino a strong component to Eastwood's body of work. He seems to fire on all cylinders. Only the acting of dome its less celebrated stars needed some work. So many aspects of this film truly make it what it is, whether it be comedy, drama, or suspenseful. Good movie.
Thomas B

really good stuff once again from clint eastwood. full review later.
♥Robyn

"Gran Torino" is a suspenseful and gripping drama with lots of action .... directed, produced and starring, Clint Eastwood,as we all know him, in a perfect performance at his very best~!!!!!! Following the death of his wife, and despite the insistence from his sons that he… More
"Gran Torino" is a suspenseful and gripping drama with lots of action .... directed, produced and starring, Clint Eastwood,as we all know him, in a perfect performance at his very best~!!!!!! Following the death of his wife, and despite the insistence from his sons that he look into retirement living, Kowalski, becomes somewhat of a recluse, preferring to stay on his front porch with beer in hand, ranting on to his faithful dog Daisy about the dilapidation and influx of Asian people into his neighborhood..no-one can play such a cantankerous old cuss quite like Clint Eastwood. one word for this movie AWESOME~!!! deserves a 5 star rating in my opinion
Jameson W

Great film! Clint Eastwood is one of my favorite directors. Some of the poor acting in the minor characters didn't settle well at times, but that's one of the only negative things about this film.
Conner R

The first time I saw this I really didn't care for it, but it really is a great movie. It's really shocking to see Clint Eastwood actually die in a movie, simply because it's never happened before in his incredibly long career. However, it seemed fitting in a way if he… More
The first time I saw this I really didn't care for it, but it really is a great movie. It's really shocking to see Clint Eastwood actually die in a movie, simply because it's never happened before in his incredibly long career. However, it seemed fitting in a way if he was going to play a martyr. This shows that not all 80 year old men on the porch are harmless. In fact, I don't think i'd ever start an argument with one at this point. Clint Eastwood's Walt Kowalski has a mindset that is a lot like John Wayne's Ethan Edwards does in The Searchers and they have similar revelations throughout their respecting movies.
Jeff "

Clint Eastwood has a knack of creating terrific drama films with a message. Gran Torino is one of those films. Under it's typical Clint Eastwood stereotypical toughness, which he plays here. This film can be seen as a commentary on many issues, gangs, racism, the disrespect of… More
Clint Eastwood has a knack of creating terrific drama films with a message. Gran Torino is one of those films. Under it's typical Clint Eastwood stereotypical toughness, which he plays here. This film can be seen as a commentary on many issues, gangs, racism, the disrespect of the youth culture towards their Elders, forgiveness. Those are some of the issues that come to mind when I think of this film, and I don't think it's quite far fetched to say that this is what this film is about either, because if you look at this film closely this is exactly what it's about. This film is a tour de force performance by Clint Eastwood, and the virtual cast of unknown actors are quite good on screen. Gran Torino is a terrific film with a strong message in the story. Gran Torino is yet another Clint Eastwood masterpiece, and it shows that he has no signs of slowing down. Clint Eastwood plays a racist Korean War Veteran, and it's very interesting to see him change his ways throughout the course of the film. I don't understand why people say this is Eastwood's weakest entry as a director, he's a very solid director who is able to tell a great story. Gran Torino is a well told film and the cast of unknowns are simply terrific. This is yet another great film from Clint Eastwood, and it's a film that adresses important issues that can't be ignored. Gran Torino may not be the greatest work by Clint Eastwood, however the film a splendid work race issues and it proves once again that Clint Eastwood can deliver yet another solid film. Gran Torino is a good example of a film that takes an unbiased look at race issues, and this is a well made film, and it's not preachy like most films dealing with similar subject matter. Clint Eastwood is great filmmaker, and Gran Torino is another great film from a director at the top of his game.
Mike S

Very moving and captivating drama, about a bitter old war veteran (Eastwood), whose life takes an unexpected turn after a young teenager tries to steal his prized 1972 Gran Torino. It's a simple story about tolerance and cultural differences, but also one of hope, self-sacrifice… More
Very moving and captivating drama, about a bitter old war veteran (Eastwood), whose life takes an unexpected turn after a young teenager tries to steal his prized 1972 Gran Torino. It's a simple story about tolerance and cultural differences, but also one of hope, self-sacrifice and unlikely friendships. As always, Clint Eastwood delivers a superb performance, and you can't help but be fascinated by his cynical, yet subtly amusing character. No one can really carry a film single-handedly as well as he does here. This is also rumoured to be his very last movie, which would be quite sad if true, because despite his 78 years, it's undeniable that he still has a lot to give as an actor. At least he would be ending his career on a high note though, because this is some of the best work I've ever seen by him, both directing- and acting-wise. It wouldn't surprise me at all if this movie gets nominated for a bunch of Oscars. All in all, one of my top ten favourite films of 2008. Be sure not to miss it!
Tony G

"Torino" is an impressive achievement. A first-rate performance by Eastwood anchors a well-paced, engaging film.