Gran Torino

Rating: 8/10 (10 February 2010)

The movie Gran Torino is a movie about the ability to change. Clint Eastwood plays the part of the ever miserable Walt Kowalski. His disposition is sour after years of bad memories spent in the Korean War. The only happiness he finds is in his dog. He is a widow who truly has no use for anyone else in this world. Living in a neighborhood of immigrants, this bigoted and headstrong individual only becomes more miserable.
The strong theme that is shown through the entire movie is the ability of change. Many times people feel that a person is unchangeable; however, this movie proves this notion to be untrue. In the beginning of the movie Walt is cold and distant. He does not show mercy or kindness to anyone but his faithful friend Daisy. When Thao –played by Bee Vang – is caught trying to steal his beloved car as part of a gang initiation, Walt is only more disappointed with his surrounding neighbors. Until Thao is made to work off his debt to Walt, then the relationship begins to develop.
This man who was once a hollow shell begins to feel again. He takes Thao under his wing, and teaches him to be a man. Helping him to get a job, "ask out" a young girl, and teaching him about pride and honor. His once hard heart begins to soften as these people whom he once despised, truly become his family. One memorable scene is when he stands with his rifle telling the Hmong gang to "get off my lawn". Though in this moment he truly just wants these people to go away, he is seen as a hero. His true heroic act is defined toward the end of the movie.
After Sue (Ahney Her ) is beaten and raped, and Thao is hurt in a drive by shooting, Walt knows what must be done. Thao is determined that the gang must be punished for what they have done. Walt knows how haunted a man becomes after taking a life, and cannot allow Thao to bear those inner demons. In his heart he knows what this might do to this young man he has grown to care about – and respect. So to show that he is a changed man he goes to church and says a confession – an act that once previously he was completely against. With this action it is pretty clear to the viewer that Walt will lose his life in this battle. He gives Thao his Silver medal of honor and locks him in the basement for his own protection.
Eastwood's character has become a changed man through the care and attention of his neighbors. He has had nothing to live for since the death of his wife and the end of the war. However, he now sees his purposeto save this young man. Going to stand up to the gang himself – Walt does the ultimate heroic actgiving up his life in the name of justice.
One of the most interesting tools used in this movie is the wardrobe. Throughout much of the movie Walt is place in a simple wardrobe that depicts the flat and empty personality he possesses. His colors are muted and outfits are kept simplistic. His neighbors Sue and Thao however exhibit a more "colorful" wardrobe. Their outfits are more complex with more color – exhibiting the vitality and passion they have for life. This stays constant through much of the movie without too much wavering. However, this technique arises again in the end of the movie when Walt goes to buy himself a new suit and get a new hair cut before his last courageous stand. This shows that he has become a new man. He has been reborn.
A man once filled with disdain and contemptis now filled with pride and compassion. This movie does an amazing job of showing that with compassion and patience even the hardest of hearts can be softened.