Walt Kowalski

Introduced to us as...
Traditional, conservative, patriotic, proud.
Grumpy Close up growling dog like.
Racist
Independent/isolated/doesnt like help
Resists all things modern and change
Opening shots in church mid shots, stands alone and
frowning/growling chooses to be alone.
Doesnt think much of his sons and younger generations
Crane shots of house immaculate, well maintained, proud and
patriotic.
Symbolism flag, Ford pick up truck
Working hard on his house, worked hard his whole life values it.
First time we see him smile is when hes having beers at the pub
again a masculine, patriotic establishment
-First interaction with Thao is defending the Gran Torino low
lighting, low angle shot, gun, deep bass music
Shows Walt defending his property. Not your typical, frail, elderly
man which is how his sons see him. Immediately Thao sees he is
not one to mess with. Sets up a relationship that is very different to
the one he has with his own sons.
-Second interaction with Thao Get off my lawn Gang trying to
take Thao and broke his gnome (gnomes were most likely Dorothys
breaking something of hers would agitate him) low lighting, low
angle shot, gun, growl close up
Later he says he was defending his property symbolism flag, Gran
Torino in the background. Mid-shots showing Walt alone he does
things by himself.
BEFORE SECOND INTERACTION WITH THAO
Admiring the Gran Torino After Thao tried to steal it He brings
it out to shine it up kind of like its had a run in and now he wants to
look after it, make sure shes ok like his baby
Close up polishing Gran Torino, Over-shoulder shot of Walt having
a smoke on the deck in the setting sun, admiring the car, Golden
Retriever very stereotypical American family dog, flag. A scene the
director says most men can relate to working on a car and being
proud of it, wanting other people to admire it.

We here see Walt smile again, only the second time. Shows how
proud he is he very much values his hard work, white-middle class
American work ethic. His values are SO CENTRAL to his characters.
Saving Sue Sits in his car and watches Sue being pushed around
by the black gang.
When he is thinking about the situation with the boys a mid-shot
shows him to one side with the white truck in the background his
half of the shot is light in colour contrasting with the darkness of
the angry black teens side of the shot.
Slight low angle shot is used of Walts first finger gun warning its a threat, it represents a gun. To begin with the boys scoff at the
old man. An almost identical low angle shot is used as Walt draws
a hand gun and REALLY threatens the boys. They realise he is
serious. Walt drawing the gun shows his skill and strength with the
gun. Guns are tools for Walt and protecting himself and those whom
he cares about is central to his character. [As a directorial side note
it is very reminiscent of an Eastwood classic here we see what
could easily be an older Dirty Harry or The Man With No Name. The
finger gun first appeared in the Any Which Way But Loose film]
Dialogue here is very telling Ever notice how you come across
somebody every once in a while you shouldnt have fucked with.
(spits) Thats me Here is a man who has been to war looking with
contempt at a new generation of boys who think they ARE at war.
After rescuing Sue they have a kind, bonding conversation in the
truck. A couple of effective two-shots show them talking while
Walt is driving and cant look at Sue as a typical conversation might
go we see him smiling at her. And it probably suits Walt not to let
Sue see him smiling at her and what she has to say. The dialogue
reveals the nature of their relationship Sue jokes with Walt and is
not put off by his racist demeanour she is very respectful but
enjoys Walts company and discussion. You know something kid,
youre alright.

Making observations
Sitting on his porch favourite seat in the house just a typical old
man with a favourite spot.
Looks at neighbour That old hag hates my ass Still cant see the
similarities between them.
what the hell is it with kids these days watches lady across the
street drop groceries and three boys walk past and dont help. He

gets up to help but see Thao go help would you look at that
starting to soften.
Looks at grandma Hmong she kind of nods like she knows what
hes seen Thao do
Walt grunts still hostile, still uncomfortable.
Son and wife come over to give birthday gifts to make things
easier ->they have contempt for him. (compare with Hmong gifts).
They want to put him in a rest home.
Close up on squinty, grumpy, hard Walt again. Gets REALLY mad
close up/zoom in on growling lip.
Back on the porch drinking his 7th beer
Jokes about Sue eating dog she puts up with him WHY IS THEIR
RELATIONSHIP SO DIFFERENT TO THE ONE HE HAS WITH HIS
SONS???
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Realises hes out of beer. Dialogue what have you had to eat
today Shes sweetly checking up on him not in a contemptuous way
his son did. She doesnt judge him for drinking all the beer and
offers him more unlike his son judging him for smoking.
I might as well drink with strangers rather than drink alone. After all
it is my birthday In a way covering up that he DOES want
company...kicked his family out... he does like Sue but hes not
about to sing a song and do a dance about it men of his generation
dont talk about their feelings - realistic
Hmong Party
Scene opens with fridge door. Food and drink is always a social
lubricant
No pabst, but plenty of beerF inds a common ground Follows Sue
with smile on his face. Follows her through the house asking her why
people keep looking down. Is still very much an outsider but is
asking questions to understand and is actually IN the house rather
than standing outside judging it...Grandma yells at him, he smiles.
Pats girl on the head they all murmur Hes an outsider.
Sue serves him a meal and teaches him about their customs he
listens respects her. You people are all nuts but the food does
smell good. OF course its Hmong food Can I come back for
seconds
Kor Khue Lor family shaman. Size each other up. Interested in each
other. Two Mid-shots cut between them showing them looking at
each other. Similiar.

Dialogue: People do not respect you. They dont even wanna look
at you You would expect Walt to get mad but he seems interested
to hear what Shaman has to say. He says the way you live, your
food has no flavour. Youre worried about your life. Like a mistake
that you did, youre not satisfied with. CLOSE UP looking at ground
then at Sue with a look of confusion and contemplation. He says
you have no happiness in your life. Its like youre not at peace.
Gets up and stands alone isolates himself again. Coughs up blood
Sue concerned and follows him upstairs. Looks in the mirror Seen
himself reflected in eyes of shaman, now mirror. Ive got more in
common with these gooks than I do my own spoilt rotten family.
Jesus Christ. alone again making this realisation its not an easy
thing to admit to yourself. Close up of him looking in the mirroridea of reflections sometimes we dont always like what we see in
the mirror. When people age they often reflect on what their life has
become, who they are and what they have to show for
themselves...its not looking good for Walt right now.
Overshoulder shot at Sue looking at him, he says he bit his
tongue, hes fine Wont let her in. Wants more food.
Great shot of him complementing ladies and food. Sitting in a group,
theyre all trying to serve him, smiling and happy. Sue takes him to
the basement where the teenagers are - Two shot of Sue and Walt
They discuss Thao. Increasing number of two shots as Walt begins
to bond with Sue and Thao previously he has always been shot
alone.
Wide shot of him standing against the washing machine, alone.
Outsider again of course, hes in a room of teenagers, however,
hes not unhappy or uncomfortable. Finds something to fix
DialogueThats what I do
Jokes with Yuoa Ive been called a lot of things but not funny
different side of Walt being seen by others. Again Dialogue is used
to show Walt connecting with these young people and bonding with
them.
I may not be the most pleasant guy to be around starts berating
Thao but in a kind of advisory way.
Thao comes over to work Beginning of Thao and Walts
relationship Very important Walt gets a son figure that he
respects and who respects him and what he has to teach!

Walt on porch low angle shot looking up at him, high angle

shot looking down at Thao power establishing relationship.
Hesitant to relationship with Thao
Im not the one who tried to steal flag in the background.
I maintain my own property looking across the street Im tired
of looking at it for the past three years Dialogue used to show
Walts values harshly spoken but the beginning of Walts life advice
for Thao.
Yeah, you said it brother High angle shot to show Thao working
and Walt standing beside Hmong neighbour, both instructing Thao
side by side look very similar. Through Thao, Walt is connecting
with the neighbourhood and realising, yes, he does have something
in common with these foreigners.
Thao working montage piano music, Walt on the lawn with dog,
truck, flag, smokes, watching. Cuts between Walt and Thao jobs
get progressively harder rain and thunder Walt watches Full
shot standing on his lawn with Ford pick-up (symbolic of hard work),
American Flag, Daisy - Thao doesnt quit. Neighbour and
granddaughter make request little girl interaction shows Walts
soft side. Granddads head not even in the shot. Thao comes up
steps looking, smiling, at calloused hands happy
Walt sick inside, spits up blood comes to door angry dismisses
Thao he looks sad. Walt calls him back going to say something
but doesnt. He realises they have this relationship but hes not
ready to let Thao in yet....
After the doctors he calls his son and is dismissed.... maybe here he
is realising Thao is more interested in him than his own sons.
Mid shot on the porch smoking as gang drive past finger gun
warning tough expression, confident gesture.
Series of two shots of Walt and Thao as their relationship grows
combined with dialogue used to show a growing mutual respect
and a father-son/ mentor protge - in the garage learning about
tools and fixing things, hardware shop I really appreciate this
something EVERYONE likes to hear and Walt has probably never
heard from his sons EVER. Bringing the freezer up from the
basement Walt and Thao both hold their aching bodies very
similar and they have worked together, very sweet moment Walt
has asked for help he rejected help from his sons before (thinking
folding chairs at the very beginning)

Overshoulder shots are also used to show Walts guidance and

care for Thao and Sue. At the picnic when Sue and Thao come over
for snacks, Thao WASHING the Gran Torino making amends? Gotta
clean the car before you drive the car... Earning the privilege
through hard work.
I wish our dad was more like you
Im old school Yeah but youre an American Walt realising how
he is perceived by them.
Asian families very traditional, much more than white families
deeply seated family values, respect and culture. Walt seems softer
compared to their father. Sue not liking her father, in the same way
Walts kids dont like him universal family dynamic parallels.
Immigrant families holding on to that much stronger than white
communities to have a connection to country/culture of origin? To
have familiarity in a foreign land.
Im not a good man Get me another beer dragon lady Still
cant forgive himself despite making this connection to these
children than give him a sense of satisfaction that hes never had
with his sons.
Gardening is womans work low angle shot looking up at Walt
Giving life advice to Thao. Feels bad when he says no one would
hire you Point he realises theres a line to teasing - he feels bad
and thats nice we like him. He tells Walt he needs to man you
up and you should date YumYum Point in the film where he is
spouting the life advice really takes Thao under his wing.
- Takes him to Martins Barbers shop. Teach him how to talk like
a man.
After not seeing Thao for a few days, he seeks him out and finds
Thao has been burnt Goes seeking revenge!
Extreme Low angle shot of Walt threatening the Hmong gang
member and drum beat music musical motif for action and
tension scenes. This is Walts natural, gut instinct to do. He will
learn later (and teach Thao) that this is not the way to go.
Next day Walt is very happy. BBQ offers Thao the Gran Torino for
his date with Yuoa , jokes Im the white devil Ironically he is their
saviour later.

NIGHT TIME REVENGE GANG DRIVEBY

Watching baseball, drinking beer rushes out with gun. Checks

everyones alright. Soft, dimly lit. I knew this was going to
happen. I tried to... Mutters to himself ...Comparing violence of war
you expect violence and to lose people, all he knows is of war....
this is very different
Sue comes home Walt standing alone again Close up on
grimacing face and dropping his shot glass. Goes home muttering
no, no, no. Sits in the dark, initial reaction is violence against the
kitchen blind fury and regret close up on tear [HUGELY
significant]. Cuts to a wide shot of him alone in the dark.
Emphasising the dark reality that has occurred guilt, frustration,
fear....
Over shoulder shot - Father Janovich arriving. Tells Father Thao
and Sue are never going to find peace in this world as long as that
gangs around. Through Thao and Sue Walt accepts Father Janovich
into his life, which is what Dorothy had wanted but he could never
do.
Asks priest what would you do Bond over a beer.
Walts life advice Nothings fair father giving each other
guidance Walt has found another figure to have a meaningful
relationship with. Tells him to call him Walt.
Advising Thao / Preparing for death
Nows the time to stay calm. We stay calm or else mistakes get
made. We have to step back from this thing You know Im the right
man for the job The military side comes through in his planning.
You know nothing about it back to broody. Here he is coming to
terms with the realities of the situation. Hes been through
something similar before and he doesnt want Thao to experience it
or have to.
Crane shot of him mowing his lawn. Wants to leave things in
order very proper. Bath, hair cut, shave, suit, confession.
Accepting him impending mortality.
Church is dimly lit. Close up at confession screen doorI absolve
you of all your sins although the sin that weighs most on his mind,
he hasnt confessed, this confession is only because Dorothy wanted
him to do it. Church is echoy ominous of whats to come? Close
upOh, I am at peace does he want to make the priest feel like
hes done his job? Leaving one more thing finished.

Shows Thao the medal facing his mortality We might not come
home tonight
Low angle, close up at Walt through the screen door has the
power locked up Thao, but to protect him. Dialogue I got blood
on my hands. Im soiled. Thats why Im going alone tonight. Proud
to call you my friend Never been proud of his sons.
Goes to his death [See analysis of final scene] Finger gun warning
knowing the full ramification of the gesture. Shot as reaching for
Korean War Lighter Final symbol of a war that haunted him causes
his death.... That hate, anger and resentment dies with him????
Crucifixion pose he has saved them. Giving your life for your child
is something most parents would claim they would do. Walt didnt do
it for his biological child but Thao is so much more than that to
him.
He then leaves him the Gran Torino (and Daisy) two powerful
symbols of traditional, middle class American values. He leaves a
piece of him with Thao of course he leaves specific instructions on
what NOT to do with it His final piece of life advice for Thao.... He
has freed Thao from a life of crime and eventually jail, as is
stereotypical for Hmong men.
In his coffin Walt is dressed in his first tailored suit, there is an
American flag in the lining. He died a hero. Which is exactly what
every solider wants. Right? His final rest is a peaceful one.