Gran Torino poster

Gran Torino

2008116 minutesR
5.1
Arcplot Score
📝 Unconventional
Unverified
⭐ 8.1IMDb
🍅 81%Rotten Tomatoes
Ⓜ️ 73/100Metacritic
🎬 8.0TMDb
📊 5.8Popularity
🏆21 wins & 23 nominations total
Genre: Drama
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is a widower who holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Michigan neighborhood and the world around him. Kowalski is a grumpy, tough-minded, unhappy old man who can't get along with either his kids or his neighbors. He is a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 Gran Torino he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbor Thao Lor (Bee Vang), a young Hmong teenager under pressure from his gang member cousin, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Thao's family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them from the gangs that infest their neighborhood.

Box Office

Budget:$33.0M
Revenue:$270.0M
Profit:$237.0M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision3.4/10
Emotional Arc Impact10/10
Thematic Consistency2/10
Overall Score5.1/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

Gran Torino Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
10 min
3
Set-Up
22 min
4
Catalyst
32 min
5
Debate
44 min
6
Break Into Two
54 min
7
B Story
64 min
8
Fun and Games
76 min
9
Midpoint
88 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
98 min
11
All Is Lost
104 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
110 min
13
Break Into Three
112 min
14
Finale
114 min
15
Final Image
116 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Walt Kowalski, retired auto worker, bitter and isolated; Detroit neighborhood setting.

#2

Theme Stated

10 min

Redemption, tolerance, and personal growth; confronting prejudice and past.

#3

Set-Up

22 min

Neighborhood dynamics; young Hmong family introduced; Walt observes but keeps distance.

#4

Catalyst

32 min

Thao coerced into theft; Walt confronts gang; takes initial protective action.

#5

Debate

44 min

Should Walt engage or isolate? Moral choice vs. personal risk; relationships tested.

#6

Break Into Two

54 min

Walt trains Thao; bond develops; action and mentorship begin.

#7

B Story

64 min

Thao and Sue family bond; Walt softens; relationships deepen; humor and warmth emerge.

#8

Fun and Games

76 min

Mentoring, neighborhood interactions, minor confrontations; character growth evident.

#9

Midpoint

88 min

Gang attack escalates; stakes rise; Walt takes active role in protection and justice.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

98 min

Gang retaliation imminent; neighborhood in danger; personal risk heightens.

#11

All Is Lost

104 min

Walt injured; Thao threatened; hope seems lost; emotional and physical peril.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

110 min

Walt reflects on past, family, and meaning; prepares for final confrontation.

#13

Break Into Three

112 min

Walt takes decisive action to protect family and neighborhood; synthesis of courage and morality.

#14

Finale

114 min

Confrontation with gang; ultimate sacrifice or decisive act; resolution of narrative arcs.

#15

Final Image

116 min

Neighborhood safe; legacy of Walt established; mirror opening with growth and redemption.