Walt Kowalski

Outer characterization

Walt Kowalski is the main character of the film Gran Torino (2008) directed by Clint Eastwood. Eastwood also stars as Walt in the film. 

Walt is a retired Ford factory worker and a veteran of the Korean War. Though his age is not mentioned, he is likely in his 80s. He is recently widowed and lives alone with his dog Daisy in a neighborhood with a majority Hmong community. Walt has two sons, Mitch and Steve, and several grandchildren, but he is not close to them. Walt is of Polish descent, as shown by his last name Kowalski. 

Inner characterization

Walt is “still living in the 50s”

Walt is an unhappy and permanently displeased old man. From his first scene, Walt frowns and grumbles, irritated by his grandkids’ disrespectful behavior during his wife’s funeral service and by Father Janovich’s impersonal eulogy. He also shows he is rude when he slams the door in Thao’s face when he asks for jumper cables, despite the fact that he could have helped him, or when he insults Father Janovich and rejects his efforts to connect. After his wife’s death, Walt becomes lonely and isolated, only working to maintain his house, garden, and car, and drinking beer on his porch with Daisy as his only companion. 

In general, Walt displays very old-school, conservative, and traditional beliefs, which are best shown by Walt’s sons who say he is “still living in the ‘50s”. This is also shown by Walt’s devout patriotism. Walt fought in the military for his country, and then worked a typical factory job for American car manufacturer Ford. Because of this, Walt despises not only the Asian community in his neighborhood, but also the fact that his son chooses...