Analysis of the Film Gran Torino by Clint Eastwood. The film, Gran Torino, by Clint Eastwood, follows the life of a Korean war veteran and his relationship with his Hmong neighbors as they battle to overcome the trials that they are faced with. The character that struggles the most in May 26, · Gran Torino is a powerful drama film that portrays a man’s journey in a crime-ridden neighbourhood. The protagonist, Walt Kowalski, a racist Korean war veteran lived in a neighbourhood where the majority of the residences were of Asian descent. The difficult part of this was he was racist and prejudiced against minority groups In Gran Torino, Walt must figure out a way to protect the people in his neighborhood, specifically Thao and Sue, without resorting to violence. This is identified as this specific films climax. Given the fact that whenever Walt attempts to stop the Hmong gang with violence, the situation at hand only worsens
Gran Torino Essay
Grant Gran Torino was directed by Clint Eastwood in which he himself stars as the main character, Walt Kowalski. In the opening scene, it is shown that Walts wife had just recently gran torino essay away, and that her funeral was being held at a local gran torino essay. This opening scene itself sets the story of a soon-to-be tragic hero. Right away, the films prominent theme of religion is introduced, with themes of culture and age difference following.
Gran Torino did not, however, highlight the central theme of racism in the opening scene. It was very subtly introduced when his one of his sons mentioned that Walt was, in fact, stuck in the s, which suggests that he may have been a veteran of the Korean War. Gran Torino has managed to successfully incorporate themes of religion, culture difference, and age difference among many others within the opening scene itself. Gran Torino is a very recent example of classical Hollywood narrative.
The film follows the structure of: introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and then conclusion, gran torino essay. In most cases, the classical Hollywood narrative can be more simply described as when the main character is on an objective to reach a goal, but to reach that goal the character has to overcome an obstacle.
In Gran Torino, Walt must figure out a way to protect the people in his neighborhood, specifically Thao and Sue, without resorting to violence. This is identified gran torino essay this specific films climax. Given the fact that whenever Walt attempts to stop the Hmong gang with violence, the situation at hand only worsens. The falling action occurs when Walt challenges the gang at night, with the intention that they may attempt to kill him.
In the films conclusion, it is shown that Walt did in fact only have a cigarette lighter, he embodies himself as a figure of Christ; comparing his own sacrifice to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The films conclusion is ironic in a way because Walt is shown to not be a firm believer of Christianity in the beginning of the film; he even goes out of his way to mock the young priest and his beliefs. His character at one point says the priest in response to his question of why Walt didnt call the police: I prayed, but they didnt show up.
As the film progresses, Walt is not shown to be practicing religion more frequently, but he instead embodies a more Christian moral code.
Even more ironic is how in the beginning of the film, gran torino essay, it shows that Walt is offended by his neighbors unkempt way of living; even though one of the Ten Commandments is to love thy neighbor. Walts subtle religious progression is completely apparent with his tragic crucifixion- like sacrifice in the films conclusion, gran torino essay.
Reading more into the theme of sacrifice, gran torino essay, Walt had come to this conclusion because he figured out he could not keep fighting the Hmong gang through violence as he did in the past, gran torino essay. In the initial moments in the film, Walt is showered with gifts from the neighborhood after saving Thao from a gang attack. Walts death is foreshadowed earlier when the film shows how often he smokes; in one scene he is even shown coughing up blood, suggesting lung cancer.
Walt had made the decision to sacrifice himself for the safety of his neighbors, gran torino essay, which is a much more heroic way to die rather than dying from lung cancer. Walt presumably feels the need to be a hero in the last years of his life as a result of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder he received after being a veteran in the Korean War.
He even states earlier in the film, when asked by Thao what it is like to kill a man, You dont wanna know. suggesting self-loathing and an emptiness within himself. The theme of culture and generational difference in the film is apparent as well. Initially, Walter perceives his way of life to be superior to the way of his neighbors, or even his family. This could be a result of his years in the army; where soldiers often mock the civilian way of life, gran torino essay. Walters character progression begins when he accepts an invitation to the barbecue at Sues; in where he immerses himself into the culture of the people he fought against for 3 years.
Even though he gives dirty looks to the people at the party, he keeps an open mind and allows himself to understand their culture. Furthermore, Walters character previous to the beginning of his cultural enlightenment had issues with his children and grandchildren alike. His All- American attitude is apparent due to a number of factors; the preservation and care of his Ford Gran Torino, and the fact that he is upset that his son drives a Toyota SUV.
Walts relationship with his family is strained to gran torino essay the least. In several instances, he shows signs of grimace and contempt towards his children and grandchildren. In the opening scene, he gran torino essay most upset at his granddaughters indecent self-presentation at her grandmothers funeral by letting out gran torino essay very unimpressed scowl.
Walts sons also discuss their fathers condition, claiming that its inevitable to disappoint the old man. Walts son also shows a lack of respect by allowing his own son to wear a sports jersey to a funeral.
He also seems indifferent gran torino essay his fathers judgments at his own mothers funeral, by discussing negative thoughts on his fathers behavior with his brother. This goes back to Walts civilian vs. soldier superiority complex, where he looks down on civilians for not sharing his cultural viewpoints. Another scene to take note of is Walts passive aggression to the first person the film shows giving condolences to his wifes passing, Hal. The camera shows a third person perspective from over Walts shoulder to Hal; where he says that she was a real peach.
Walt clearly does not respect Hal very much, as he shows no appreciation to the condolences Gran torino essay offered. The handshake that Hal and Walt share is weak; no signs of respect are shown from Walt to Hal, gran torino essay. While Hal seems sincere, Walt dismisses his condolences completely by saying to him: Thanks for coming, Hal.
If Walt had genuinely appreciated his efforts, gran torino essay would have shown so much as an eye rise when he was speaking to Hal. Instead, Walt shows about the same amount of indifference to Hal as he does to his children and grandchildren. When gran torino essay young priest approaches the podium to say kind words about Walts wife, he scowls and replies with Jesus Christ, again ironic due to his almost non-existent religious point of view, gran torino essay.
Walt clearly believes himself to be superior to all those that are younger than him, so the fact that a priest he barely knows in his early twenties sharing thoughts about his wife more than upsets him. It is later discovered that the gran torino essay had been requested by Walts wife to look after Walt as a dying wish. Despite the priests repeated efforts to respect a dying womans wish, Walt in turn insults him in a later scene.
Given the relationship Walt has with his children, it is assumed that Walt did not have a healthy relationship with his wife. He is almost never seen mourning her loss, gran torino essay, and immediately following his wifes demise, does not respect her wishes for Walt to become a better person. In the initial scene, Walts character is not perceived as a likeable person at all, carrying various negative vibes around him. Throughout gran torino essay film, his cultural and personal views evolve which in turn help his feelings of self-loathing.
He respects his wifes dying wishes by becoming a better person, but his relationship with his family did not prosper. In Walts will, he left Thao the Gran Torino instead of his granddaughter. He experienced self-enlightenment in his last moments of life, by sacrificing his own self to protect those around him, gran torino essay. Walts death scene shows himself as an embodiment of Jesus Christ, with arms lying across and legs straight. Clint Eastwood has managed to do a great job incorporating all these themes, possibly the result of casting himself as the main character, but nonetheless a very well done film.
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Gran Torino - All Insults and Racial Slurs - in 5 min
, time: 4:54Gran Torino Free Essay Sample
Gran Torino Essay Example Being a Vietnam veteran Walt views the white race as superior and dominant. The Hmong family is viewed as barbaric culture in his eyes. Another theory provided in the Film “Gran Torino” Estimated Reading Time: 3 mins May 26, · Gran Torino is a powerful drama film that portrays a man’s journey in a crime-ridden neighbourhood. The protagonist, Walt Kowalski, a racist Korean war veteran lived in a neighbourhood where the majority of the residences were of Asian descent. The difficult part of this was he was racist and prejudiced against minority groups Nov 27, · Essay Example on Argumentative Gran Torino Throughout the movie he indicates that he doesnt understand his children or grandchildren. I have more common with these gooks than my own spoilt, rotten blogger.comted Reading Time: 4 mins
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