Gran Torino is a film based on the relationships that a retired Korean War veteran has that end up reforming his racist views.

Rating: Null/10 (11 December 2010)

Gran Torino is a film based on the relationships that a retired Korean War veteran has that end up reforming his racist views. Walt Kowalski played by Clint Eastwood is a widowed war veteran who is an angry man. He has troubled relationships with his sons and lives a solitary life with his dog named daisy. He lives in a neighborhood that is now populated with immigrants from the "Hmong" community that used to be an all white neighborhood. Walt does not hide his disdain for this recent development and vocally expresses his racists' views about it. He attends mass delivered by a young priest named Father Janovich played by Christopher Carly, who was friends with his deceased wife and often visits him. His neighbors are a Hmong family that includes two teenagers, Thoa a young boy played by Bee Vang, and Sue, Thoa's sister played by Ahney Her.
The neighborhood gang confronts Thoa to steal Walt's Ford Gran Torino as part of a gang initiation process. Reluctantly, he is unsuccessful in his attempt to steal the car and is apprehended by Walt. To make up for this attempted robbery, Walt makes Thoa do odd jobs in the neighborhood and begins to build a relationship with him, his sister, and family. The gang members attack Thoa for not stealing the car and Walt confronts one of them about this attack. They, in retaliation, rape Sue and do a drive by shooting at the family residence. To seek revenge, Walt tricks Thoa, locks him in his house, and subsequently arrives at the gang residence. Seeing that there are neighborhood witnesses, he confronts them and pretends to draw out a gun. They in turn shoot and gun Walt down. It is found out that Walt did not have a gun but instead drew out a cigarette lighter. The gang members are arrested and Walt leaves his Gran Torino to Thoa as he has saved his life.
During the film, Walt discovers that he has lung cancer. This is important as it aides in his decision to be the savior for Thoa and his family in the end. Clint Eastwood does a fine portrayal of an angry racist man, a role that perhaps is different for him. In addition, the supporting casts all lend nice acting skills as their characters do not overshadow that of the main character but rather supports it. The evolution of Walt's growing affinity for the Hmong family is pleasant to watch and leaves a sense of joy yet remorse at the end of the film. Another film, American History X has similar undertones and is in par with the theme of Gran Torino. It depicts how intimate and developed relationships with opposite races help eliminate racists and stereotype views that people have.
According to the online article Dearborn Classics (2010), "the Ford Gran Torino were built tough and are remembered for their distinct style." This motif describes the theme of the film to a tee. Walt is a tough, no holding back man, and his actions at the end of the film will forever be remembered particularly for Thoa. Gran Torino then becomes an appropriate title for the film. In addition, the cinematography highlighted the theme of the film. It showed crisp sharp images and had a gritty color and texture to it. This was able to show the heaviness of the story lines and theme.
Walt was able to transform himself, his thoughts, and actions by building a solid relationship with a young teenage boy and his family. It is the epitome of "each one teaches one" story and not buying into common stereotypes. We all have something to learn from other races and cultures no matter our own beliefs and ideas.