Walt Kowalski is a retired Polish American Ford factory worker and Korean War veteran who has recently been widowed. Set in his ways and unwilling to change, Walt is prejudiced and unforgiving towards those who don't meet his high standards. His neighborhood in Highland Park, Michigan, formerly populated by working-class white families, is now dominated by poor Asian immigrants and infested with gang violence. Walt’s poor relationship with his family, his own deteriorating health, and frequent theological disagreements with Father Janovich are shown at various points throughout the film.
A Hmong family, the Vang Lors, move next door to Walt, much to his displeasure. Among the family are teenagers Sue, and her brother, Thao. Thao, a shy intelligent teen, is relentlessly pressured by his cousin to join a local Hmong gang, and he eventually agrees to an initiation which requires him to steal Walt’s prized car, a 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport. Walt confronts Thao, armed with his M1 Garand, and Thao is forced to flee at gunpoint.
The gang returns and turns violent when Thao rejects them. As the Vang Lors attempt to fend them off, the fight spills onto Walt’s lawn. Furious, Walt faces down the gang, and they retreat. The local families begin to treat Walt as a hero, though he wishes to be left alone and initially rejects the attention. A few days later, however, Walt rescues Sue from an escalating confrontation with three black men. Sue befriends Walt, taking his racial comments in stride, and invites him to a family barbecue on his birthday. Walt accepts the invitation and learns more about Hmong culture and their status as refugees. To atone for his attempted theft, Thao offers to work for Walt, who has him carry out odd jobs and repairs around the neighborhood. He begins to act as a father figure to Thao, teaching him how to act as a man, giving him relationship advice, and helping him to find a job. Troubled by persistently coughing up blood, Walt goes for a medical checkup and receives results implying that his condition is serious.
Thao is mugged by his cousin's gang. Infuriated, Walt confronts one gang member, beating him and demanding that they leave Thao alone. The gang retaliates with a drive-by shooting on the Vang Lor home, and by beating and raping Sue. The police are unable to take action as no witnesses come forward. Thao is furious, and urges Walt to take vengeance with him. Walt agrees but says that careful planning and caution are needed. He asks Thao to return later in the day. In the meantime, he goes for a shave and haircut, buys a new suit, and goes to confession, fulfilling one of his wife's final wishes. Father Janovich, knowing of the attack by the gang, is immediately suspicious, but receives Walt's confession. Walt returns home and meets with Thao, giving him his Silver Star. Walt tricks Thao and locks him in the basement, revealing that he doesn't want Thao to experience the horror of killing someone. He further confesses something he could not confess to Janovich; that he has long harbored guilt for killing a young soldier during the war who had surrendered.
Walt confronts the gang members outside their home. Cigarette in his mouth, he asks the gang for a light, and then provocatively reaches into his jacket. The gang guns him down. Walt falls dead to the ground; a Zippo lighter with 1st Cavalry logo is in his hand; he had confronted the gang unarmed. The gang, now under arrest, is no longer a threat to the Vang Lors or the neighborhood due to Walt's sacrifice.
Thao and Sue, along with many of the Hmong community, attend Walt's funeral dressed in traditional Hmong clothing, with Father Janovich leading the procession. The scene cuts to the reading of Walt's last will and testament, in which Walt leaves his house to Father Janovich's church, and his Gran Torino to Thao. The movie ends with Thao driving the car off into the horizon with Walt's dog Daisy in the passenger seat.
More Info
Download Movie
A Hmong family, the Vang Lors, move next door to Walt, much to his displeasure. Among the family are teenagers Sue, and her brother, Thao. Thao, a shy intelligent teen, is relentlessly pressured by his cousin to join a local Hmong gang, and he eventually agrees to an initiation which requires him to steal Walt’s prized car, a 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport. Walt confronts Thao, armed with his M1 Garand, and Thao is forced to flee at gunpoint.
The gang returns and turns violent when Thao rejects them. As the Vang Lors attempt to fend them off, the fight spills onto Walt’s lawn. Furious, Walt faces down the gang, and they retreat. The local families begin to treat Walt as a hero, though he wishes to be left alone and initially rejects the attention. A few days later, however, Walt rescues Sue from an escalating confrontation with three black men. Sue befriends Walt, taking his racial comments in stride, and invites him to a family barbecue on his birthday. Walt accepts the invitation and learns more about Hmong culture and their status as refugees. To atone for his attempted theft, Thao offers to work for Walt, who has him carry out odd jobs and repairs around the neighborhood. He begins to act as a father figure to Thao, teaching him how to act as a man, giving him relationship advice, and helping him to find a job. Troubled by persistently coughing up blood, Walt goes for a medical checkup and receives results implying that his condition is serious.
Thao is mugged by his cousin's gang. Infuriated, Walt confronts one gang member, beating him and demanding that they leave Thao alone. The gang retaliates with a drive-by shooting on the Vang Lor home, and by beating and raping Sue. The police are unable to take action as no witnesses come forward. Thao is furious, and urges Walt to take vengeance with him. Walt agrees but says that careful planning and caution are needed. He asks Thao to return later in the day. In the meantime, he goes for a shave and haircut, buys a new suit, and goes to confession, fulfilling one of his wife's final wishes. Father Janovich, knowing of the attack by the gang, is immediately suspicious, but receives Walt's confession. Walt returns home and meets with Thao, giving him his Silver Star. Walt tricks Thao and locks him in the basement, revealing that he doesn't want Thao to experience the horror of killing someone. He further confesses something he could not confess to Janovich; that he has long harbored guilt for killing a young soldier during the war who had surrendered.
Walt confronts the gang members outside their home. Cigarette in his mouth, he asks the gang for a light, and then provocatively reaches into his jacket. The gang guns him down. Walt falls dead to the ground; a Zippo lighter with 1st Cavalry logo is in his hand; he had confronted the gang unarmed. The gang, now under arrest, is no longer a threat to the Vang Lors or the neighborhood due to Walt's sacrifice.
Thao and Sue, along with many of the Hmong community, attend Walt's funeral dressed in traditional Hmong clothing, with Father Janovich leading the procession. The scene cuts to the reading of Walt's last will and testament, in which Walt leaves his house to Father Janovich's church, and his Gran Torino to Thao. The movie ends with Thao driving the car off into the horizon with Walt's dog Daisy in the passenger seat.
More Info
Download Movie
No comments:
Post a Comment