Gran Torino

Name: Gran Torino
Genre: Drama
Released: December 12, 2008
Duration: 116 min
Rating: 72
Cast: Bee Vang, Clint Eastwood

2008

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 828 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 828 Ratings

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Gran Torino

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 12, 2008 | R

Starring: Bee Vang, Clint Eastwood

Summary: Retired auto worker Walt Kowalski fills his days with home repair, beer and monthly trips to the barber. The people he once called his neighbors have all moved or passed away, replaced by Hmong immigrants, from Southeast Asia, he despises. Resentful of virtually everything he sees--Walt is just waiting out the rest of his life. Until theRetired auto worker Walt Kowalski fills his days with home repair, beer and monthly trips to the barber. The people he once called his neighbors have all moved or passed away, replaced by Hmong immigrants, from Southeast Asia, he despises. Resentful of virtually everything he sees--Walt is just waiting out the rest of his life. Until the night someone tries to steal his `72 Gran Torino. The Gran Torino brings his shy teenaged neighbor Thao into his life when Hmong gangbangers pressure the boy into trying to steal it. But Walt stands in the way of both the heist and the gang, making him the reluctant hero of the neighborhood--especially to Thao's mother and older sister, Sue, who insist that Thao work for Walt as a way to make amends. Though he initially wants nothing to do with these people, Walt eventually gives in and puts the boy to work fixing up the neighborhood, setting into motion an unlikely friendship that will change both their lives. (Warner Bros. Pictures)… Expand

Director: Clint Eastwood

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 116 min

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Critic Reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum

A movie at once understated and radical, deceptively unremarkable in presentation and ballsy in its earnestness. Don't let the star's overly familiar squint fool you: This is subtle, perceptive stuff. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Eastwood finds the humorous aspects of the character as well, no more so than when the appetite of the widower who lives on beef jerky and Pabst Blue Ribbon becomes the center of attention among the Hmong women cooks. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

The movie is supremely entertaining -- and often hilarious. Read full review

William Arnold

This movie seems even rougher around the edges than much of his past work. Still, it's hard to resist. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Until Gran Torino starts rumbling headlong toward its tone-deaf, self-serious ending -- the script is by Nick Schenk -- it's often enjoyable, satisfying and funny. Read full review

Ty Burr

An endlessly fascinating movie. If only it were a good one. Read full review

Michael Sragow

It's no compliment to say a movie is "all of a piece" if the piece is all worn out. For all its surface harshness, this movie is a star vehicle at once rickety and cozy. Read full review

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User Reviews

PisethL

Jan 12, 2009

One of the best movies for a long time! Everyone can relate to it!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Feb 16, 2009

Best Movie of the year. Awesome movie, with some of the best character development I have seen in some time.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

JKBPP

Aug 22, 2010

Gran Torino is maybe the best movie I have ever seen. It is full of everything to pleasure both genders. I watched at my father's apartment with my sister. We all had a great time with this awesome movie. 10 out of 10 is not enough, so I will cheat and say 12 out of 10 :P

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

I.M.Morgus

Jan 31, 2009

Good, sad and somber.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SchnitzelPoof

Feb 8, 2015

I didn't know what to expect when Gran Torino started, and it managed to surprise me several times throughout the film. The characters were interesting, likable, and show the writers know people quite well. Clint Eastwood's acting is superb, and manages to make you laugh even when theI didn't know what to expect when Gran Torino started, and it managed to surprise me several times throughout the film. The characters were interesting, likable, and show the writers know people quite well. Clint Eastwood's acting is superb, and manages to make you laugh even when the situation is very grim.
I didn't care much for the ending, but it's understandable, considering where they were going with the story.
Most importantly, though, it swims against the current, and manages to challenge some prevailing taboos of today's PC culture, showing that human relationships are more than skin deep.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

geewah

Jan 15, 2021

An entertaining movie, but far from a great one.
The story being told is okay but it's just too predictable.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

VanceB

Jan 17, 2009

The grand lesson of this movie is that the way to really defeat evil people is to allow them to kill you. Because maybe, just maybe, they might have to spend a few years in prison--boy that will teach 'em! This movie is the ultimate result of a culture that has become completely The grand lesson of this movie is that the way to really defeat evil people is to allow them to kill you. Because maybe, just maybe, they might have to spend a few years in prison--boy that will teach 'em! This movie is the ultimate result of a culture that has become completely pacified and sissy-fied. It was a good movie up to the end. It made some valid commentary on our over-offended society (friends throw ethnic insults at each other without getting offended--unthinkable!). I love Clint Eastwood as an actor, but he has completely sold out to this pacifist mentality--the best way to teach bad people a lesson is to let them hurt you.… Expand

0 of 6 users found this helpful

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70	#70 Best Movie of 2008
10	#10 Most Discussed Movie of 2008
21	#21 Most Shared Movie of 2008