Talk:Walt Kowalski

This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the Walt Kowalski article.
This is not a forum for general discussion of the article's subject.

Put new text under old text. Click here to start a new topic.
New to Wikipedia? Welcome! Learn to edit; get help.

Article policies

Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL

Film: American

	Film portal This article is within the scope of WikiProject Film. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see lists of open tasks and regional and topical task forces. To use this banner, please refer to the documentation. To improve this article, please refer to the guidelines.FilmWikipedia:WikiProject FilmTemplate:WikiProject Filmfilm articles
	This article is supported by the American cinema task force.

Fictional characters

This article is within the scope of WikiProject Fictional characters, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of fictional characters on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.Fictional charactersWikipedia:WikiProject Fictional charactersTemplate:WikiProject Fictional charactersfictional character articles

Michigan: Detroit Low‑importance

	Michigan portal This article is within the scope of WikiProject Michigan, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of the U.S. state of Michigan on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.MichiganWikipedia:WikiProject MichiganTemplate:WikiProject MichiganMichigan articles
Low	This article has been rated as Low-importance on the project's importance scale.
	This article is supported by the Detroit task force.

United States Low‑importance

	United States portal This article is within the scope of WikiProject United States, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of topics relating to the United States of America on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the ongoing discussions. Template Usage Articles Requested! Become a Member Project Talk Alerts United StatesWikipedia:WikiProject United StatesTemplate:WikiProject United StatesUnited States articles
Low	This article has been rated as Low-importance on the project's importance scale.

"The redemption of an American racist"?[edit]

I would question the description of the film as portraying "the redemption of an American racist". Walt affects to hate everybody. Race is only one characteristic that he criticises. He is actually not a racist, for he treats people equally, irrespective of race and despite the ostensibly racist taunts. He mocks and taunts his barber too. His confession shows that he is morally clean, and maintains extremely high standards.Royalcourtier (talk) 23:32, 6 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

The article should be based on commentary from other people, such as film reviewers and authors of books, journal articles, and magazine articles. WhisperToMe (talk) 06:25, 2 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Article[edit]

I don't understand the reason for a page exclusively for a character from a film that, while successful and acclaimed, is not strongly influential in any way. For a character like Randle McMurphy, I understand the article, since he is a memorable character in both literature and film, and in a film widely thought to be one of the greatest. Commentary on Kowalski by critics and authors also doesn't justify the article, in my opinion. Is this articel really necessary? I'm not there. Message me! 20:38, 12 June 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Wikipedia:GNG states that "If a topic has received significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject, it is presumed to be suitable for a stand-alone article or list." As he's the main character, this article should fit the bill. WhisperToMe (talk) 06:24, 2 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I concur. This character has no existence apart from this movie. This article should either be deleted or merged with the article for the film Gran Torino. Walt Kowalski exists in one movie and nowhere else. Having a separate article for him is like having an article for Josie Wales separate from the article for the film The Outlaw Josie Wales. I would even acknowledge that Harry Callahan might merit an article separate from the movies in which Eastwood portrays him, since he has become such a cultural icon, but Walt Kowalski is not even close to being that sort of icon. Mention his name and observe the puzzled looks you get until you explain who he is. Beetfarm Louie (talk) 21:46, 11 June 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Character's name selection[edit]

Could they have also taken the name "Walt Kowalski" from the famous wrestler Wladek "Killer" Kowalski (real first name Walter)? The latter also worked at the Ford plant in his youth. 2604:3D09:6E83:6B00:AD83:364D:9D2A:5E71 (talk) 06:19, 28 August 2023 (UTC)[reply]