Life Lessons

Rating: 9/10 (2 February 2010)

Gran Torino takes a close look at racism and offers a simple solution to the problem: spend some time with those you place judgment on. In addition to this, the theme of violence never solving a problem is ever present. The film is set in present day Michigan, focusing on the struggle of life in this place. The neighborhood can be rough and gang activity is a threat to the young. We meet Walt Kowalski at his wife's funeral, a Korean War veteran played by director Clint Eastwood, immediately becoming aware of his disdain for the young as he observes the behaviors of his grandchildren. Why he feels such disdain with them is made apparent during his conversation with Ashley Kowalski, his granddaughter, portrayed by Dreama Walker. She questions Walt about what personal effects she can have of his, and who he's giving his 1972 Gran Torino to when he dies. We see the same mentality from his children in a later scene. Following the departure of his family after the funeral from the home he and his wife shared, we discover Walt's lack of faith in the church, as Father Janovich (Christopher Carley) pays Walt a visit which results in Walt's not so subtle push for the priest to leave him alone. This is a religious opposition theme present in Eastwood's film Million Dollar Baby, as well. Walt also speaks with racist disgust about Asians, especially Koreans, and more specifically, the Hmong family next door. The dialog is throughout the film very simplistic, with a constant racial undertone. While the acting was not on the level of superb, it is adequate in its portrayal of the story's themes. In the dark of night, Thao Vang Lor (Bee Vang) attempts to break into Walt's garage and steal his Gran Torino. Walt catches him, pointing an M-1 Garand and demanding Thao leave. As the picture progresses, Walt comes across Sue Lor, played by Ahney Her, a teen neighbor girl who speaks her mind, although she remains respectful of her elders and family. Despite his first significant encounter with her being a situation where she displays her disrespect for the three boys harassing her, this only lends itself to drawing Walt toward her, respecting her strength. Angles are used to stress these changes to Walt's feelings toward Sue, as close ups of his facial expressions softening alert the audience of this shift. During the barbecue scene where Walt is read by Sue's grandfather, religion is again brought to our attention, as Walt respects the reading of the grandfather more than the visit of his own priest. The film ebbs and flows between Walt's disdain for the "gooks," as he calls them, and his respect for Sue and her family's moral foundations. When Thao's mother finds out about the attempt to steal the car, she insists Thao work off the debt to Walt by doing Walt's bidding for a week. Walt wants no part of this, but in the end agrees, with pressure from Sue, the interpreter for her mother. The interaction among the Hmong family and Walt grows in frequency, and Sue's acceptance of Walt's crotchety ways endears her to him further. Thao shows strength and determination during his week helping Walt that before was unseen in him. This opens Walt up to helping Thao, rather than pushing him away. The care Walt comes to have for the Lor children draws him into a feeling of being their protector in time, and this sense of duty draws the film to its surprising end. The use of special effects in the film are most frequently observed in the final quarter, as gun shots and injuries are all recreated perfectly. Even so, the theme of anti-violence is delivered creatively in these events, and Eastwood directs this film in a way that allows the audience to see this clearly. Despite the theme of opposed religion, we find ourselves understanding Walt's view of God as personal, rather than religious, in that final moment with him. The closing scenes of the film offer the greatest moral to the story, as we realize that our once boldly racist Walt cared most for those he once wouldn't consider worth a second thought.