'Gran Torino' (dir. Clint Eastwood) - screenplay - opening sequence








Black and white film titles. ‘Gran Torino’ theme is played slowly and mournfully on electric guitar and piano.

Sounds of birdsong, daylight, long shot of chapel, cars parked outside, church music played on organ.

Volume of music increases. Interior, low angle shot of organist, stained glass behind.

High angle shot of congregation crowded at front of church. A coffin sits before altar.

Tracking shot follows old man as he walks past coffin and photograph of elderly woman.

As camera continues to track with old man, he talks to taller, serious-looking, suited man (Walt Kowalksi / Clint Eastwood) who is standing beside the coffin.

 

OLDER MAN      I'm real sorry about Dorothy, Walt. She was a real peach.

 

Reverse shot of man almost from Walt’s POV                                  

       

WALT           Thanks for coming, Al.

 

There is another low angle shot of Walt, which makes him look imposing. He is looking serious. It is his wife’s funeral. He looks up as other mourners arrive.

 

A shot from Walt’s POV shows number of kids (Walt’s grandchildren) are seen kneeling and crossing themselves, before entering the pews.

 

Walt nods, but then he is seen lifting his head slightly.

 

Another shot from Walt’s POV shows that he is looking at a young girl’s bare midriff. She has her belly button pierced.

 

A zoom of Walt shows his disapproval and he makes a vague groaning noise – in his mind the girl is inappropriately dressed for the funeral.

 

A medium shot of the girl shows she makes disinterested eye contact with Walt.

 

A close-up of Walt shows him looking at the next young person, a boy.

 

We see Walt’s POV of the boy as he crosses himself and says:

       

BOY            Spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch

 

There is the sound of the kids laughing as we see Walt in close-up. He is angry. His eyes move to his sons.

The next shot tracks across in front of the sons as they talk about Walt.

Walt's sons, MITCH and STEVE, watch their father from their pew.

 

MITCH          Look at the Old Man glaring at Ashley. He can't even tone it down at Mom's funeral?

 

STEVE          What do you expect? Dad's still living in the ‘50s. He expects his granddaughter to dress a little more modestly.

 

MITCH          Well your kid's wearing a Lions jersey. I'm sure Dad appreciates that.

 

STEVE          The point I’m trying to make is there's nothing anyone can do that won't disappoint the Old Man. It's inevitable.

 

Mid-shot of Walt standing alone.

Back to tracking shot of sons.

 

STEVE          That's why we stopped doing Thanksgivings. You know that deal with the boat motor, the broken bird bath, it's always something.

 

MITCH          What are we going to do with him? Don't you think he'll get in trouble by himself over in the old neighbourhood?

 

STEVE          Why don't you have him move in with you? (chuckles)

 

MITCH          Ha ha.

 

They realise they should not be laughing.

Close-up of Walt. He has a bad cough.

Return to low angle shot of organist playing.

As music stops, in long shot, young priest in white enters and stands behind lectern.

 

FATHER JANOVICH Death... is often a bittersweet occasion to us Catholics.

 

Mid-shot of Walt’s sons, his daughter-in-law and Walt sitting in front row.

Another shot pans up as an old woman enters the church.

 

FATHER JANOVICH Bitter in the pain, sweet in the salvation. Bitter in the pain…

 

Long shot of Father Janowich standing between two candles at lectern.

 

FATHER JANOVICH …it causes the deceased... and their families…

 

Mid shot of Walt’s son, wife and Walt, with slight zoom to Walt as he half turns round towards his grandchildren.

       

FATHER JANOVICH …Sweet to those who know the salvation that awaits…

 

Mid-shot of priest at lectern. He is very young compared with Walt.

       

FATHER JANOVICH …And some may ask, what is death?...

 

Tracking shot of older members of congregation

 

FATHER JANOVICH …Is it the end?...

 

Mid shot of priest looking towards Walt.

       

FATHER JANOVICH …Or is it the beginning?

 

Mid shot of Walt.

 

FATHER JANOVICH …And what is life?

 

Mid-shot of priest

 

FATHER JANOVICH …What is life? What is this thing we call life?...

 

Tracking shot to Ashley, playing on her phone. Phone BEEPS.

 

FATHER JANOVICH …All these questions can frustrate you at times like this…

 

KAREN (Walt’s daughter-in-law) Ashley, stop it!

 

FATHER JANOVICH …And that’s why you have to turn to the Lord…

 

Camera zooms from mid-shot to close-up of Walt’s snarling face

 

WALT           (growls) Jesus!

 

FATHER JANOVICH …because the Lord is the sweetness.

 

 

End of sequence

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