Gran Torino - discussion guide

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Summary

Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is a Korean war veteran and the proud owner of a 1972 Ford Gran Torino. He shows great affection for this classic car, but little for any people. He is indifferent towards his family, openly racist towards his Hmong neighbours and offensive towards the priest (Christopher Carley) who tries to befriend him after the death of his wife.

The son of Walt’s neighbour, Thao Vang Lor (Bee Vang), is cajoled by a gang into trying to steal the Gran Torino. Walt catches him in the act and Thao’s mother insists that the boy does chores for Walt to make amends. Slowly Walt gets to know the Lors and they become more of a family to him than his blood relatives. Walt takes it upon himself to teach Thao how to stand up for himself in their dangerous neighbourhood.

Father Janovich (Carley) has promised Walt’s late wife that he will try to get Walt to confession. Walt is sceptical of religion and believes the priest to be utterly unqualified to give advice about life, death and forgiveness. The priest has a series of conversations with Walt, but it is only when Walt gets a glimpse of Janovich’s weaknesses that he begins to listen to his message.

As the film progresses, Walt’s cold heart thaws. He begins to value relationships and put others before himself. By the end of the film, Walt is committed to protecting the Lor family, even at the risk of his own life.

Background

Gran Torino is the fourth film Clint Eastwood has directed. It grossed over $269 million worldwide. Out of a sample of 207 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes records that 80% were positive. Empire magazine’s Angie Errigo writes that it is, ‘Simply terrific, enormously watchable and an absolute must for all Eastwood fans,’[1] while Time Out’s Geoff Andrew notes that it is, ‘actually a rather wise, insightful exploration of family and friendship, violence and vengeance.’[2]

In an interview, Eastwood said that, although he is not as negative as the character he plays, he could identify with a lot of the emotions Walt experiences. [3] In another, he explains how Walt’s racism stems from his disappointment with how the neighbourhood has changed.[4] Gran Torino confronts serious issues like prejudice, guilt and heroism, all through the troubled psyche of Walt. As Philip French notes in The Observer,

What gives the film its formidable strength is the way Eastwood shows Walt struggling with his prejudices and coming to terms with a changing world and with his inner demons, many of the latter stemming from the horrors ohe witnessed in the Korean War.[5]

Questions for Discussion

1. How did you feel about Walt? Was he the kind of hero you were expecting? What did Clint Eastwood bring to the role?

2. Why do you think the film is framed by the Gran Torino? Do you think the car is symbolic? If so, what do you think it represents?

3. Why do you think Walt has isolated himself? To what extent do you think this is justified?

4. What do you think of Walt’s idea of manliness? What do you think Thao learns from Walt?

5. What does Walt learn through his friendship with Thao and Sue?

6. The Hmong shaman says to Walt, ‘You have no happiness in your life. It’s like you’re not at peace.’ Do you think this is true of Walt? What do you think it means to be ‘at peace’?

7. Walt accuses the Father Janovich of being an ‘overeducated 27-year-old virgin who likes to hold the hands of superstitious old ladies and promise them everlasting life.’ What was your impression of the priest? Do you think he is representative of most Christians? Why or why not?

8. Why do you think Walt eventually goes to confession? Were you surprised by what he confessed to? What do you think confession achieves?

9. Walt makes a confession to Thao through the grille of the basement too. How does Walt intend to make amends for the things he confesses to?

10. How did you respond to the ending? What might you have done if you were in Walt’s position? Did it change your opinion of Walt?

11. Walt chose justice rather than revenge. Do you think he made the right choice? Why?

12. Walt’s last words were, ‘I got a light.’ Do you think he could have been talking about more than the lighter in his pocket? If so, what did he mean?

13. Walt decides to sacrifice his life for the Hmong family because he thinks their lives are more deserving than his. The Bible says that Jesus sacrificed his life for us, not because we deserved it but because he loved us:

    Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:7-8 )

    How do you respond to this sacrifice? Does it change your opinion of God?

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