Gran Torino is a 2008 American drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also starred in the film. The film co-stars Christopher Carley, Bee Vang and Ahney Her.
The film features a large Hmong American cast, as well as one of Eastwood's younger sons, Scott. Eastwood's oldest son, Kyle, provided the score. Set in Highland Park, Michigan, it is the first mainstream American film to feature Hmong Americans. Many Lao Hmong war refugees resettled in the U.S. following the communist takeover of Laos in 1975.
Plot[]
Retired auto worker and Korean War vet Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) fills emptiness in his life with beer and home repair, despising the many Asian, Latino and black families in his neighborhood. Walt becomes a reluctant hero when he stands up to the gangbangers who tried to force an Asian teen to steal Walt's treasured car. An unlikely friendship develops between Walt and the teen, as he learns he has more in common with his neighbors than he thought.
Cast[]
- Clint Eastwood as Walt Kowalski
- Bee Vang as Thao Vang Lor, a young Hmong teenager
- Ahney Her as Sue Lor, Thao's older sister
- Christopher Carley as Father Janovich
- Doua Moua as Fong "Spider," Thao's cousin and the main antagonist
- Sonny Vue as Smokie, Spider's right-hand man
- Elvis Thao as Hmong Gangbanger No. 1
- Brian Haley as Mitch Kowalski, Walt's older son
- Brian Howe as Steve Kowalski, Walt's younger son
- Geraldine Hughes as Karen Kowalski, Mitch's wife
- Dreama Walker as Ashley Kowalski, Mitch and Karen's daughter
- Michael E. Kurowski as Josh Kowalski, Mitch and Karen's son
- John Carroll Lynch as Martin, an Italian American barber friend of Walt's
- Chee Thao as Grandma Vang Lor, the matriarch of Thao's family
- Choua Kue as Youa, Thao's eventual girlfriend
- Scott Eastwood as Trey, Sue's bad stereotype date