Class Film Review for Gran Torino

Rating: 8/10 (25 April 2012)

Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is a gruff, unhappy, lonely, recent widower who is a Korean War veteran and a retired autoworker that lives in a run down neighborhood in Michigan where gangs are present. He doesn't get along with his children and he doesn't like his neighbors who are Asian. It is clear that he is prejudice when he calls them "barbarians". His gun was always near and he is often found on the porch with his dog Daisy, drinking beer and watching the neighborhood go by.
Walt's neighbor, Thao (Bee Vang), was pressured by his cousin's gang to steal Walt's prize possession, a 1972 Gran Torino, which he was unsuccessful. Instead, Walt developed a relationship with Thao and his family when he rescued them from that same gang who terrorizes the family. He became a protector and a father figure, as there was no male head of household.
The theme of this movie shows that Walt was a racist but he was able to get beyond this once he befriended his neighbors and became a mentor to Thao. The other noticeable theme was Walt's Gran Torino. This car was his most important possession as it reminded him of the good old days when he worked in the auto industry. These were the days when you were respected, work ethics was instilled and you worked hard for your money. Today, Walt thought that the young generation didn't have those things. But, Walt was able to recognize that Thao was respectful and had the work ethics when Thao's family forced him to work for Walt for trying to steal his car.
Gran Torino movie reminds you of his other films; such as Dirty Harry where he played the good guy/bad guy only he is much older. Clint Eastwood still portrays a character that is rough around the edges, his demeanor is still the same and he runs around with a gun. I should caution that some scenes in Gran Torino are also still violent and the language is strong.
There were no fancy film techniques in this movie. There were uses of color during the movie such as the American Flag and the Pabst Blue Ribbon beer can, which reflects red, white and blue. The last scene was dark obviously leading up to the climax of the movie. There was some low lighting and general sounds from the outside can be heard when Walt confronts the gang that has been terrorizing his neighbors.
Clint Eastwood also directed and produced this movie. Over the years, he has proved to be a successful in many of his films that he has directed and produced such as Million Dollar Baby, Flags of our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima and others. Gran Torino is one more movie that you should add to your list to watch. The lesson learned in Gran Torino is racism, work ethics, life and death.