Grumpy old man

Rating: 8/10 (28 July 2016)

As the granddaughter of a couple of grumpy old men who are protective of their property, more than borderline racist, and often find themselves living in the past, this movie hit the nail on the head. It made me miss the grandfather who has left this world, and made me want to call up my Pop straight away to see how he's going.
The movie was a beautiful example of knocking down cultural and generational walls that divide us, and demonstrates that you can indeed teach an old dog new tricks. It was interesting to watch the dynamic between Walt and Sue, and between Walt and Thao. I spent a lot of the movie hating Walt's family and being able to connect their behaviour to members of my own family. "Your wife is dead. Time to move you to a nursing home." (When really they're thinking "One parent down, now we want to sell your house so we can have some cash.") And trying to pretend like they were doing it all to help him.
It seems that a few people have raised the question of inheritance. I have a very loving relationship with my grandparents, who other people label as "intolerant" or "grumpy", some of these people being their own children or other relatives. They disrespect them, behind their back and to their face, and yet when it comes to their wills, they expect to be included. A relationship with our elders is not just about wooing them into leaving us something, nor should being left something by an elder be an expectation just because you're a child/grandchild etc.
The points lost were for the religious dude. I can't stand religion, so I always have trouble when there's a forceful religious sycophant involved.