“Gran Torino”
Although the Korean War took place in a time that many young Americans do not remember, the hatred and racism from that period still permeate our lives today. Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) a Korean War Veteran displays this type of racial misunderstanding in the movie Gran Torino, but after an unlikely event brings together Walt and the boy from next door, Thao (Bee Vang), both are able to learn and grow from each other.
The film was racked with first time actors, including Bee Vang, and Ahney Her (Sue Lor). Along with Christopher Carley who had his first lead role in “Gran Torino”. Thanks to the acting of Eastwood, the film was able to capture the audience’s attention, however the acting from his co-stars was riddled with forced lines and barely believable acting.
Vang plays a teenage Hmong boy who tries to steal Walt’s 1972 Gran Torino in resigned acceptance of being initiated into his cousin’s gang. Walt stumbles upon Thao in his garage and armed with an M-1 rifle scares Thao away. Walt continues to live his life of beer and racial hatred until his yard is flooded with Hmong people as Thao’s cousin returns to force Thao to join the gang and leave with them. A fight ensues and the wrestling boys end up on the front lawn of Walt’s house. Walt unknowingly comes to the aid of the boy who tried to steal from him, and scares the gang members away. With the entire neighborhood eternally grateful for Walt’s heroic stance against the gang, Thao’s older sister Sue invites Walt to a family barbeque. Walt learns at the party that he has more in common with the the “gooks” than he does with his own flesh and blood. With the new found respect for the people who “invaded” his neighborhood, he is convinced by Sue to enslave Thao for trying to steal the Gran Torino.
The relationship that follows this seemingly bizarre partnership leads to Walt turning the “toothless” Hmong boy into a “man” and Thao helping, along with the almost random priest, Walt to face his past and move on to something better. Although Walt’s reasons for Thao doing the work he does is selfishly motivated, he ironically is helping the immigrant neighbors who he is so hateful of. Thao becomes the son that Walt always wanted, a son who wants an American car unlike the ones he already has who Walt disgruntling says “Would it kill him to buy American?” as his son drives away in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Walt teaches Thao how to be responsible and hold down a construction job, or how to talk to another man (which involves coarse, vulgar language apparently). Thao and his family like wise teach Walt how to accept his past, which haunts him with memories of the war and his deceased wife. Walt ultimately sacrifices himself in order to protect his new found “saviors”.
Eastwood and his co-stars gave an amazing view into the life of man from a generation that many of us cannot relate to. His performance carried the film in the beginning, but by the tear filled end, the others have stepped up to the plate and taken control of the screen.
I completely agree that Eastwood carried the film, especially in the beginning and without him, the movie would not be the hit that it is. Similarly I think that the script was not well written or developed and that did nothing to help the first time actors. Aside from agreeing with your points I also think this review was very well written.
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