Clint Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a disgruntled Korean War veteran who becomes the hero of his community in the 2008 film Gran Torino. From being in the war, Walt has held onto many prejudices which seem to be only fueled by his neighbors growing diversity. The only thing Walt seems to care about is his 1972 Gran Torino so when he catches his neighbor, Thoa who is being pressured by gangs, trying to steal his car he is determined to change things. When he sees his neighbors being bullied by gangs and mistreated he stands up for them and in the end gives his own life to put the gangs, the villains in this film, behind bars. Despite being an elderly man, Walt Kowalski is a citizen hero. He is a common older man, dealing with the recent death of his wife and health problems but takes actions to save his community from destruction.
Gran Torino illustrates many communities’ cultures today. It deals with an increasing diversity of citizens, the problems that arise from prejudices and the violence that exists in many communities. It also shows a realistic hero that does not have super powers; rather he uses his own knowledge, confidence and courage to defeat the villain.
According to The Internet Movie Database, Gran Torino brought in $271,720 in its opening weekend (December 14, 2008) in the United States and by May 31, 2009, it had grossed $148,017,037. It will be released on DVD on June 9, 2009 and is expected to gross even further.
References
The Internet Movie Database. (2009).Gran torino. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205489/business.
Walt was portrayed as a hero in the movie. I think it was to the extreme near the end, but he was a hero to his neighbors.
ReplyDeleteHe became a hero because he stepped out of his safe little area of living and made a stand. I think that's what makes heroes. They step outside of their comfort zones to help others.
I never watched this move but when you say Clint Eastwood I know that he will play sort of hero. When you say that he didn't sit and become depressed by the death of his wife and instead took one a role to help his community that indicated right away that he was indeed a hero
ReplyDeleteThis was a great movie. It shows how a hero can truly emerge from a character that we wouldn't think cared about anyone but himself. He makes the ultimate sacrifice to save his neighbor, something many people would not even think of.
ReplyDelete