Gran Torino

Rating: 9/10 (25 April 2010)

In the movie Gran Torino Clint Eastwood (Walt Kowalski) once again demonstrated that staying calm can be more intimidating than going crazy. I have to mention that I hesitated watching this film because I am not a huge Clint Eastwood fan although I have watched many of his films. However, I have to say this film keep me very entertained. I was laughing, crying and celebrating at different times of the movie.
The theme of Gran Torino is about moral character and the ability to change. Walt has stereotyped generations below him as useless and lazy. Being a veteran of the Korean War Walt is also very prejudice against other races, especially foreigners. At the beginning of the movie Walt has lost his wife and seems to have nothing to live for anymore. On her death bed the priest, Father Janovich, promises to get Walt into the confessional. Walt will have nothing to do with Father Janovich or the church. He said he only attended because of his wife. Walt lived in a neighborhood of immigrants. His next door neighbor's being Thao Vang Lor (Bee Vang) and Sue Lor (Ahney Her) which are Mong.
Throughout the movie you see a distinct change in Walt going from a grumpy man to someone who appreciated the kindness of Thao, Sue, and their family. The changes begin when Thao has to work off his disgrace to his family for attempting to steal Walt's Gran Torino. Walt begrudgingly allows him to work for him starting him off by counting birds because he feels he is worthless. Over time Walt teaches him how to fix things and has him fixing up people's homes all over the neighborhood. After Thao's time is up with Walt he continues to hang around getting more lessons on how to become a man. Walt takes Thao under his wing and even gets him a job trying to keep him out of the gangs.
Before he even opens himself up to Thao he first agrees to come to dinner at Sue and Thao's home. He saves the family from a gang which has Thao and Sue's cousin in it and Sue invites him over to share a meal with them. Sue befriends Walt talking to him about their culture and way of thinking. Walt becomes protective of Sue and comes to her rescue when she is on a date and three colored teenage boys are harassing her.
In the end Sue and Thao were more like family than Walt's own children and grandchildren. He grew to love them and gave his life to saves theirs. This selfless act goes to show that your heart can change about anything and anyone.
The sound effects in this movie were very important to the overall picture. The gunshots, the windows breaking, car wheels screeching where all important to the things you could see on the screen and the things you could not see. The crashing of the glass as Walt put his hand through the glass cabinets made you cringe in pain for him. Without the sound effects the movie would not have the same impact on the viewer. The other important thing was lighting. When something big was about to happen the lighting went low. When Walt was in his house it was always dark and dreary but when at Thao and Sue's house it was always bright and full of life.
It just goes to show with forgiveness, understanding, and tolerance all generations can learn from each other and make a change for the better.