Study Guide

Booklet #1

Due to be completed:
Plot Activity:

Walt
(Clint E
), a retired Polish American Ford automobile
assembly line worker and
War veteran, haunted by memories of that
conflict, lives with his Labrador Retriever Daisy in a changing Highland Park,
Michigan neighbourhood, which is dominated by immigrants. At the start of the
movie, Walt is attending his wife's
, bristling at the shallow eulogy of
young Father Janovich (Christopher Carley). Similarly, he has little patience with
his two sons, Mitch (Brian Haley) and Steve (Brian Howe), and their families, who
show little regard for Walt's grief or the memory of their dead mother. Father
Janovich tells Walt that his late wife, D
, made Father Janovich promise to
try to get Walt to go to a
. Walt writes Janovich off as knowing
nothing about life or death, and insists on being called "Mr. Kowalski" rather than
"Walt" because he feels he neither knows, nor wants to know, Father Janovich.
Walt's teenage H
neighbours, a shy T
(Bee Vang) and his feisty
sister S
(Ahney Her), live with their widowed mother and grandmother.
Thao's initiation into his older cousin S
s gang is to steal Walt's prized car,
a 1972 G
T
Sport. Walt interrupts the robbery, pointing a
in
Thao's face and forcing him to flee. After a few days, Spider and his gang return.
His family tries desperately to fend off Spider and his cohorts. The conflict ends
when Walt threatens the gang members with his M1 Garand rifle and orders
them to get off his
.
The Vang Lors thank a grumpy and impatient Walt, who insists he only wanted
the "g
" off his property. When the neighbourhood hears of Walt's brave
act, they reward him by leaving on his porch gifts of Hmong dishes and garden
plants.
Mitch and his wife, Karen (Geraldine Hughes) go to visit Walt on his birthday,
bringing him a cake and a few gifts meant to make certain menial tasks easier.
Knowing that Mitch and Karen just want to get their hands on his
, Walt
growls in anger and throws them out.
After helping Sue who is being harassed by three b
teenagers, Sue invites
him to a family barbecue on his birthday, bringing him closer to her family,
explaining H
culture and that during the
War they fought on
"his" side. Walt has Thao clean up the neighbourhood until his debt is paid and
shows Thao the ways of American men. He gets Thao a construction job and
encourages him to ask out another Hmong girl called Youa.
When the Hmong gang find Thao walking home alone after work, they rob him
and burn his face with a
. Walt confronts S
, second-in-command in
the Hmong gang, at the gang's house, and beats him up in retaliation. The gang
returns days later and shoots up the Hmong family home in a drive-by, wounding
Thao in the neck. Walt runs to check on them and hears that Sue, who had left

for her aunt's house before the shooting, never arrived. Sue walks into the
house, and it's seen she's been beaten to a pulp and r
. The family
chooses not to tell police who did it. Walt storms home, punching cupboards and
bloodying his
in anger. Father Janovich goes to visit him later, deeply
concerned about both Walt and Sue. Walt gives Janovich a
and they
talk openly.
Walt indulges in a few luxuries. He gets a
, tipping the barber generously.
He buys a new tailored
. He goes to Church and much to the amazement
of Father Janovich, asks to make
. Janovich hears confession of
a few minor sins and prescribes a standard penitence prayer.
When Thao returns to Walt's house at the appointed time, Walt gives him the
Silver
medal he earned in Korea, but then locks him in the
, saying
he does not want him to live with the consequences of
someone.
Outside the gang members' house, Walt confronts them for the shootout and
raping of Sue, causing the neighbours to come out and observe the
confrontation. He takes out a
from his jacket, puts it in his mouth,
asks the gang for a
, and then slowly reaches into his jacket before
pulling his hand out quickly. Thinking Walt is going to
,
the gang members gun him down. A shot of Walt lying dead on the ground
reveals he had grabbed his 1st C
Division Zippo lighter, not a gun.
Thao, still with Walt's Silver Star pinned to his shirt, glares at Spider and Smoke
as they are loaded into police cars.
A funeral service is held for Walt with Father Janovich delivering a memorable
eulogy of Walt. Thao and his family attend the funeral opposite Walt's large
extended family, and Mitch is
at their presence. At the reading of
Walt's will, it's revealed that Walt left his house to the church, and his Gran Torino
to Thao, much to the disappointment and puzzlement of Walt's family. In the final
scene, Thao is driving the Gran Torino up Lake Shore Road with Daisy next to
him.
Discussion Questions:
1. How would you describe Walts relationship with his family? Do you know of
anyone that has a similar family relationship?

2. How does the physical state of the neighbourhood impact the movie? What does
the condition of the homes say about the neighbourhood? How has the
neighbourhoods population changed over the years and why? Why has Walt
stayed?

3. At the start of the movie, Walt is seen at his wifes funeral. What impression does
he have of his sons family from these scenes?

4. What does respect mean to Walt? What does respect mean to you?

5. How would you describe Walts racial beliefs at the start of the movie? Do these
beliefs change? Throughout the film he uses racial slurs. Does the meaning of the
slurs change depending on the situation? Do you see where language/words can
have different meanings depending on the situation? Is this right or wrong? Have
you ever used racial slurs and not meant them as an insult?

6. How would you describe the relationship between Walt and the priest? How does
this relationship change during the movie?

Symbolism in Gran Torino:

Write 6 things around each picture revealing what they symbolise in Gran Torino:

More Discussion Questions:

1. At the beginning of the movie, Walt tells the priest to call him Mr. Kowalski, at the
end of the movie Walt tells him to call him by his first name. What does this
signify? Talk about similar relationships that you have that have changed over
time.

2. The centre piece of the film was Walts Gran Torino. What does the car signify to
Walt? What about the other characters? Does the car have significance to them? If
so, how? Do you have, or know someone, that has a similar type of connection to
a possession? Why?

3.

Towards the end of the movie, Walt offers for Thao to use the car for his date.
Discuss the significance of this. Are their similar real life situations in peoples
lives? Have you ever been offered to use something that had great significance to
somebody?

4. At the end of the film, Walt bequeaths the car to Thao instead of a family member.
Was this unexpected? The last scene shows Thao driving the car down the road.
The car has not been modified. What does this scene signify?

5. Walt spends his birthday with his family and then begrudgingly with Thaos family.
How were these situations different? Do you know of anyone that feels more
comfortable or at home with friends or neighbours than family?

Make notes on techniques to show the 3 stages of Walt

Techniques used to show Walt isolated and alone at the beginning
- shot in church standing alone then sitting apart from the family
Stands alone outside his house when everyone else is inside at Dorothys wake.
of squinting face and growling when he is displeased with people
granddaughter, neighbours, son,
C
shots showing him maintaining his lawn, also shows difference
between his house and the other houses on the street he and his house are
different separate
Low
defending his property with the gun looks menacing, doesnt
want them near him uses a gun aggressive defence
Mid-Shots in the bar with his friends the only time hes happy is when hes
with fellow white, male Americans of his generation.
of him cleaning the car and o
-s
shots admiring
the car again hes by himself and his joys in life are the things he has done
himself and the things he is proud of.
Techniques to show change relationship with Sue and Thao
Guns to protect Sue from the gang not only just looking out for himself now
Two
of Walt and Sue showing their conversations and bonding
Dialogue You know something kid, youre alright.
W
S
inside the neighbours house Walt listening to Kor Khue
and at the table with the Hmong women feeding him
H
angle / L
Angle shots used to show the power difference
between Walt and Thao to start with it is slightly hostile as Walt doesnt think
much of Thao, but as they get to know each other Walt becomes more of a
mentor and the Low Angle shots up at Walt passing on advice to Thao are not
hostile but kind and fatherly. Body language in those shots which indicate a
change in attitude.
Two shots of Walt and Thao in the garage discussing tools, in the hardware
shop, bring up the freezer shows them working together growing respect
Shows Walt enjoying Thaos company.
shots over Walts shoulder looking at Thao
gardening and looking at Sue on the porch with Thao in the background washing
the Gran Torino again its him watching over these kids in a fatherly way. Hes
enjoying spending time with them. Opposite of him and his own sons he
doesnt enjoy their company.
Techniques at the end to show the new Walt(Significance of the ending)
After Sue comes home Series of Close Ups on his face showing emotion and
his hands his hands are how he expresses his anger and frustration. However,
he learns that violence doesnt solve problems he threatened the Hmong gang

and they responded by attacking the family. His initial reaction is still violence
against the cupboards however he sits alone in the dark [lighting] and a
close-up on his face shows a single tear he is reflecting on the realities and
consequences of his actions.
on the bloody knuckles shows shows how he takes matters
into his own hands and it doesnt always work violence doesnt solve problems.
The bloody knuckles represent the blood that is shed in war/conflict and its
painful.
Preparing for death scene
Close
of his face confessing, telling the priest I am at peace
[Dialogue] Crane Shot showing him mowing his lawn. Short scenes tailor,
barber, church, bath, takes Daisy next door Symbolic of him tying up loose
ends. When he tells the priest hes at peace he really is... done the things hes
thought about doing like a straight shave and a tailored suit.. Hes also been to
confession like Dorothy would have wanted.
L
A
shot up through the screen door looking down at Thao
He has power over Thao (locking him in the basement) but hes using this power
to protect Thao, not judge him like he did at the beginning of their relationship.
The screen door is symbolic of the confessional screen he can confess to Thao
what he couldnt to anyone else and gets that guilt off his chest.
Symbolism changes by the end of the film Symbolism at the beginning was all
patriotic and about hard work the things Walt valued (Cars, flag etc).
Symbolism at the end is about finding peace. Walt has lived his life according to
his values and its fitting that he should find peace at the end of the film.
Symbol finger gun goes to the Hmong gang without any guns, just a threat,
In his hand is the Korean war lighter what hes going for when the gang think
hes going for a gun. Lighter parallels what happened in Korea he shot a boy
and didnt know if he was a threat in the war in the same way the gang doesnt
know what hes got in his jacket. He will die unfairly like the boy in Korea but his
death will serve a higher purpose. The close up on the lighter in his open hand
as the blood trickles down is symbolic of Walt letting go of life (light). He is
letting go of his past and the things that haunt him (Korea).
C
pose hugely symbolic - Sacrificing his life for Sue and Thao
to live at peace. (Hell never find peace in this world as long as that gangs
around.)
C
shot looking down on a dead Walt he is laid out, his final rest, deep
sadness music and lighting emphasise the deep sadness.
In the coffin at the end symbol of USA flag in the lining of his coffin, in his
tailored suit He dies a patriot. He really is at peace.
Final Discussion Questions:
1. Walt says that he has more in common with Thaos family than his. Talk about this
statement from Walt. Have you ever had similar feelings? Talk about it.

2. Midway through the movie Thao is required to work for Walt. How does this
change their relationship? Have you had a similar experience where a relationship
has changed due to a different type of interaction with someone?

3. Walt tries to help Thao by teaching him how to work, talk like a man, etc. What
changed in the relationship to make Walt want to help Thao like this?

4. Walt and his friend the barber have an interesting relationship. Do you think the
way they talk to each other is appropriate or inappropriate? Why or why not? Do
you think it is okay to speak the way they do if both individuals are okay with the
language? Why or why not?

5. Walt states that Thao and Sue will never get away from the gangs that are in the
neighbourhood. Do you think that is a true statement? Can situations like this
change without extreme measures?

6. Walt calls his son after going to the doctor but doesnt discuss the visit with him.
Why do you think that he didnt share the news about his illness? Under the
circumstances would you have acted differently? Why or why not? Have you ever
had big news that you changed your mind about sharing?