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==Production==
==Production==
''Gran Torino'' was directed by [[Clint Eastwood]], who also stars in the film, and written by [[Nick Schenk]].<ref name="set">{{cite news | url=http://www.asianweek.com/2008/10/03/eastwoods-next-film-features-hmong-american-cast-exclusive-interviews-from-the-set-of-gran-torino/ | title=Eastwood's Next Film Features Hmong American Cast: Exclusive Interviews From the Set of 'Gran Torino' | last=Schein | first=Louisa | work=[[AsianWeek]] | date=October&nbsp;3, 2008 | accessdate=October&nbsp;28, 2008 }}</ref> It was produced by [[Village Roadshow Pictures]], [[Media Magik Entertainment]] and [[Malpaso Productions]] for film distributor [[Warner Bros.]] Eastwood also produced, alongside Malpaso partner [[Robert Lorenz]] and Bill Gerber.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117982650.html | title=Eastwood to direct 'Gran Torino' | last=Garrett | first=Diane | coauthors=Pamela McClintock | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=March&nbsp;18, 2008 | accessdate=October&nbsp;24, 2008 }}</ref> Filmmakers chose to produce ''Gran Torino'' in the state of [[Michigan]], being one of the first films to take advantage of the state's new law that provided lucrative incentive packages to film productions.<ref>{{cite news | last=Graham | first=Adam | title= Clint Eastwood attracts giddy gawkers | work=[[The Detroit News]] | date=July&nbsp;18, 2008 }}</ref> Filming began in July 2008;<ref>{{cite news | title= Clint Eastwood begins shooting movie in Grosse Pointe Shores | work=[[The Detroit News]] | date=July&nbsp;15, 2008 }}</ref> locations included [[Warren, Michigan|Warren]], [[Royal Oak, Michigan|Royal Oak]], and [[Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan|Grosse Pointe Park]].<ref>{{cite news | last=Hall | first=Christina | title=The film set next door: Lights... camera... Clint Eastwood! | work=[[Detroit Free Press]] | date=July&nbsp;15, 2008 }}</ref> Hmong crew, production assistants, consultants and extras were used.<ref name="set"/><ref name="badguys">{{cite news | url=http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=9c74f65fbd40944ddeba5271a1013bd0 | title=Hmong Actors Making History: The Bad Guys Of Eastwood's Gran Torino | last=Schein | first=Louisa | work=New America Media | publisher=[[Pacific News Service]] | date=September&nbsp;3, 2008 | accessdate=October&nbsp;28, 2008 }}</ref> ''Gran Torino'' is being regarded as a potential [[Academy Award]] contender.<ref>{{cite news | last=O'Neil | first=Tom | url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2008/10/oscars-83715268.html | title=Oscars predix: 'Frost/Nixon' remains in the best-pic derby and is joined by 'The Reader' and 'Gran Torino' | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=October&nbsp;20, 2008 | accessdate=October&nbsp;27, 2008 }}</ref> The film is scheduled for a limited release in North America on December&nbsp;12, 2008.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117994551.html | title='High School Musical 3' aims for No. 1 | last=McNary | first=Dave | coauthors=Pamela McClintock | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=October&nbsp;23, 2008 | accessdate=October&nbsp;24, 2008 }}</ref>
''Gran Torino'' was directed by [[Clint Eastwood]], who also stars in the film, and written by [[Nick Schenk]].<ref name="set">{{cite news | url=http://www.asianweek.com/2008/10/03/eastwoods-next-film-features-hmong-american-cast-exclusive-interviews-from-the-set-of-gran-torino/ | title=Eastwood's Next Film Features Hmong American Cast: Exclusive Interviews From the Set of 'Gran Torino' | last=Schein | first=Louisa | work=[[AsianWeek]] | date=October&nbsp;3, 2008 | accessdate=October&nbsp;28, 2008 }}</ref> It was produced by [[Village Roadshow Pictures]], [[Media Magik Entertainment]] and [[Malpaso Productions]] for film distributor [[Warner Bros.]] Eastwood also produced, alongside Malpaso partner [[Robert Lorenz]] and Bill Gerber.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117982650.html | title=Eastwood to direct 'Gran Torino' | last=Garrett | first=Diane | coauthors=Pamela McClintock | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=March&nbsp;18, 2008 | accessdate=October&nbsp;24, 2008 }}</ref> Filmmakers chose to produce ''Gran Torino'' in the state of [[Michigan]], being one of the first films to take advantage of the state's new law that provided lucrative incentive packages to film productions.<ref>{{cite news | last=Graham | first=Adam | title= Clint Eastwood attracts giddy gawkers | work=[[The Detroit News]] | date=July&nbsp;18, 2008 }}</ref> Filming began in July 2008;<ref>{{cite news | title= Clint Eastwood begins shooting movie in Grosse Pointe Shores | work=[[The Detroit News]] | date=July&nbsp;15, 2008 }}</ref> locations included [[Warren, Michigan|Warren]], [[Center Line, Michigan|Center Line]] [[Royal Oak, Michigan|Royal Oak]], and [[Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan|Grosse Pointe Park]].<ref>{{cite news | last=Hall | first=Christina | title=The film set next door: Lights... camera... Clint Eastwood! | work=[[Detroit Free Press]] | date=July&nbsp;15, 2008 }}</ref> Hmong crew, production assistants, consultants and extras were used.<ref name="set"/><ref name="badguys">{{cite news | url=http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=9c74f65fbd40944ddeba5271a1013bd0 | title=Hmong Actors Making History: The Bad Guys Of Eastwood's Gran Torino | last=Schein | first=Louisa | work=New America Media | publisher=[[Pacific News Service]] | date=September&nbsp;3, 2008 | accessdate=October&nbsp;28, 2008 }}</ref> ''Gran Torino'' is being regarded as a potential [[Academy Award]] contender.<ref>{{cite news | last=O'Neil | first=Tom | url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2008/10/oscars-83715268.html | title=Oscars predix: 'Frost/Nixon' remains in the best-pic derby and is joined by 'The Reader' and 'Gran Torino' | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=October&nbsp;20, 2008 | accessdate=October&nbsp;27, 2008 }}</ref> The film is scheduled for a limited release in North America on December&nbsp;12, 2008.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117994551.html | title='High School Musical 3' aims for No. 1 | last=McNary | first=Dave | coauthors=Pamela McClintock | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=October&nbsp;23, 2008 | accessdate=October&nbsp;24, 2008 }}</ref>


==Casting==
==Casting==

Revision as of 03:43, 20 December 2008

Gran Torino
Promotional poster
Directed byClint Eastwood
Written byScreenplay:
Nick Schenk
Story:
Dave Johannson
Produced byClint Eastwood
Bill Gerber
Robert Lorenz
StarringClint Eastwood
Bee Vang
CinematographyTom Stern
Edited byJoel Cox
Gary D. Roach
Larry D. Webster
Music byKyle Eastwood
Michael Stevens
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release dates
December 12, 2008 (limited)
January 9, 2009 (wide)
Running time
116 min.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Gran Torino is a 2008 American drama film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Eastwood stars as a Korean War veteran who catches a Hmong boy trying to steal his 1972 Gran Torino. The film features a predominantly Hmong cast and Eastwood's son, Kyle Eastwood, provided the score. The film had a limited release in North America on December 12, 2008; Gran Torino will have a wide release on January 9, 2009.

Premise

Walt Kowalski (Eastwood), a Korean War veteran, becomes increasingly unhappy at the influx of Hmong people to his neighborhood. After he catches Tao (Vang), a teenage Hmong neighbor, attempting to steal his 1972 Gran Torino as part of a gang initiation, the boy is forced by his tradition-oriented family to work for Kowalski in penance. Estranged from his children and grandchildren, and having just lost his wife, Kowalski gradually becomes friendly with Tao and his family, learning about Hmong culture. He attempts to protect Tao and his sister Sue (Her) from the gang.[1][2][3][4]

Production

Gran Torino was directed by Clint Eastwood, who also stars in the film, and written by Nick Schenk.[1] It was produced by Village Roadshow Pictures, Media Magik Entertainment and Malpaso Productions for film distributor Warner Bros. Eastwood also produced, alongside Malpaso partner Robert Lorenz and Bill Gerber.[5] Filmmakers chose to produce Gran Torino in the state of Michigan, being one of the first films to take advantage of the state's new law that provided lucrative incentive packages to film productions.[6] Filming began in July 2008;[7] locations included Warren, Center Line Royal Oak, and Grosse Pointe Park.[8] Hmong crew, production assistants, consultants and extras were used.[1][2] Gran Torino is being regarded as a potential Academy Award contender.[9] The film is scheduled for a limited release in North America on December 12, 2008.[10]

Casting

Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a Korean War veteran. Kowalski has two objects important to him: the 1972 Gran Torino and his M-1 rifle from the Korean War. Eastwood described the character's relationship with the objects, "He worked on the line in the Ford plant and retired and had this one car he bought himself. It's sort of a symbol of his days with the Ford plant. The M-1 is sort of a symbol of his days in the military... He's clinging to the memory of the war. You'll find out when you see it, some of (the memories) are not as pleasant as others. That helps make him even tougher to get along with."[3] Of the character, Eastwood said, "He's one of these guys who finds it very hard to accept change... [and that the film] just shows how his life goes and how he gets involved with the Hmong people who are living next door."[11] Eastwood's starring role was his first since Million Dollar Baby in 2004.[3]

Bee Vang plays Tao, a studious Hmong teenager who gets caught trying to steal Kowalski's 1972 Gran Torino. The part is Vang's first acting role.[1] The character is described as "the neighborhood wimp", and the large height difference between Tao and Kowalski was a deliberate echo of the mentor relationship Kowalski has to the character. Vang said, "Tao is literally 'looking up' to [him]".[12]

Ahney Her plays Sue, Tao's bossy older sister. Sue serves as Kowalski's guide into her family.[12]

Michael Kurowski plays Josh Kowalski, Walt's oldest grandson.[13]

Gran Torino also features Brooke Chia Thao as Tao’s mother, and Chee Thao as Tao's widowed grandmother. The five gang members are made up of Sonny Vue as the head of the gang, "Smokie"; Doua Moua as Fong (aka "Spider"), Tao and Sue’s older cousin; Jerry Lee, Elvis Thao and Lee Mong Vang.[2] The film features a leading cast made up almost entirely of Hmong actors, unprecedented for a mainstream American film. Open casting calls for Hmong actors were held in Hmong communities in Saint Paul, Fresno and Detroit. All but one of the ten Hmong leads were acting in a film for the first time, as were many of the Hmong extras. For authenticity, Eastwood encouraged ad-libbing among the actors in the Hmong language. An authentic Hmong shaman was cast, though it was claimed his ceremonial scenes were made more exotic.[1]

Critical reception

After seeing the film, The New York Times noted the sense of requiem that the film encaptured, describing it as "a sleek, muscle car of a movie made in the U.S.A., in that industrial graveyard called Detroit". [14] Manohla Dargis of the Times compared Eastwood's presence on film to Dirty Harry and The Man with No Name, stating, "Dirty Harry is back, in a way, in Gran Torino, not as a character but as a ghostly presence. He hovers in the film, in its themes and high-caliber imagery, and of course most obviously in Mr. Eastwood’s face. It is a monumental face now, so puckered and pleated that it no longer looks merely weathered, as it has for decades, but seems closer to petrified wood." [14] In the end he gave the film 4 stars out of 5. The Los Angeles Times also praised Eastwood's performance and credibility as an action hero at the age of 78. Kenneth Turan said of Eastwood's performance, "It is a film that is impossible to imagine without the actor in the title role. The notion of a 78-year-old action hero may sound like a contradiction in terms, but Eastwood brings it off, even if his toughness is as much verbal as physical. Even at 78, Eastwood can make 'Get off my lawn' sound as menacing as 'Make my day,' and when he says 'I blow a hole in your face and sleep like a baby,' he sounds as if he means it."[15]

Rotten Tomatoes reported that 79% of critics gave the film positive write-ups, based upon a sample of 48, with an average score of 6.9/10.[16] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has received an average score of 78, based on 18 reviews.[17]

Awards and nominations

Gran Torino was recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the Ten Best Films of 2008.[18] Clint Eastwood's performance has also garnered recognition. He won an award for Best Actor from the National Board of Review,[19] he is currently nominated for the Broadcast Film Critics Association (Critics' Choice Awards) and by the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association for Best Actor.[20][21] An original song from the film, "Gran Torino", was nominated for the Golden Globe Awards for Best Original Song. The music is by Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens, with Cullum penning the lyrics.[22]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Schein, Louisa (October 3, 2008). "Eastwood's Next Film Features Hmong American Cast: Exclusive Interviews From the Set of 'Gran Torino'". AsianWeek. Retrieved October 28, 2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b c Schein, Louisa (September 3, 2008). "Hmong Actors Making History: The Bad Guys Of Eastwood's Gran Torino". New America Media. Pacific News Service. Retrieved October 28, 2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b c Breznican, Anthony (October 22, 2008). "First look: Eastwood puts his scowl in high gear for 'Gran Torino'". USA Today. Retrieved October 24, 2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Gran Torino Script" (PDF). Warner Bros. Awards. Warner Bros. Retrieved November 21, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. ^ Garrett, Diane (March 18, 2008). "Eastwood to direct 'Gran Torino'". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Graham, Adam (July 18, 2008). "Clint Eastwood attracts giddy gawkers". The Detroit News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Clint Eastwood begins shooting movie in Grosse Pointe Shores". The Detroit News. July 15, 2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Hall, Christina (July 15, 2008). "The film set next door: Lights... camera... Clint Eastwood!". Detroit Free Press. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ O'Neil, Tom (October 20, 2008). "Oscars predix: 'Frost/Nixon' remains in the best-pic derby and is joined by 'The Reader' and 'Gran Torino'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 27, 2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  10. ^ McNary, Dave (October 23, 2008). "'High School Musical 3' aims for No. 1". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2008. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Debruge, Peter (October 24, 2008). "Clint Eastwood: Director, 'Changeling' and 'Gran Torino'". Variety. Retrieved October 27, 2008. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  12. ^ a b Schein, Louisa (October 4, 2008). "Hmong Actors Making History Part 2: Meet the Gran Torino Family". New American Media. Pacific News Service. Retrieved October 28, 2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  13. ^ Lifton, Kimberly (August 4, 2008). "With Kurowski as Kowalski". Detroit Free Press. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ a b Dargis, Manohla (December 12, 2008). "Gran Torino (2008):Hope for a Racist, and Maybe a Country". New York Times. Retrieved December 16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ Turan, Kenneth (December 12, 2008). "Review: 'Gran Torino':Clint Eastwood, at 78, shows he's still a formidable action figure". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "Gran Torino Movie Reviews". Rotten Tomatoes. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved December 17, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  17. ^ "Gran Torino (2008): Reviews". Metacritic. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved December 17, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  18. ^ "AFI Awards 2008". afi.com. American Film Institute. Retrieved December 16, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  19. ^ "Awards for 2008". nbrmp.org. National Board of Review. Retrieved December 16, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  20. ^ "The 14th Critics' Choice Awards Nominees". bfca.org. Broadcast Film Critics Association. Retrieved December 16, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  21. ^ "L.A., D.C. critics announce 2008 film awards". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. December 9, 2008. Retrieved December 16, 2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  22. ^ "Golden Globe Awards nominations for the year ended December 31, 2008". goldenglobes.org. Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Retrieved December 16, 2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
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