Food And Water In The Film, Gran Torino

There is a belief that our needs as human beings are arranged in a hierarchy, with our most basic needs such as food and water at the bottom, and our desire for self fulfillment at the top. This theory raises the age-old question: Food and water can keep us breathing, but is that all we need in our lives? In the film, Gran Torino, directed by Clint Eastwood, Walt Kowalski is a veteran and retired auto worker who has only needed his shotgun, beer cans and his dog, Daisy. Haunted by his past, Walt had never been able to live life to the fullest, but when 17-year-old Thao shows up at his door, he gets a chance to redeem himself from past mistakes and move on from his death ridden history. This film exposes the human nature to resolve the doubts
from the past by portraying a character who starts off as a racist, isolated man and ends up becoming an unconventional father figure to a Hmong teen.

The film begins with Walt at his wife’s funeral; funerals tend to have reuniting powers, but in this instance, it ends up leaving a hefty strain on Walt’s relationship with his family.
He growls and sneers at his grandson’s behaviour and granddaughter’s attire. Furthermore, both of his sons claim that he’s “living in the 50’s” and needs to upgrade to this decade. This relationship never gets fixed, in other words, Walt Kowalski is a lonely man. Returning home, Walt is annoyed by the increased amount of Asian immigrants, specifically Hmong refugees, moving into his neighbourhood, a change which surges his distinct prejudices. His neighbours, whom he calls “gooks” or “zipperheads”, reminds him of his time in Korea. Likewise, Walt, without hesitation, pulls out his gun when their son, Thao Lor, tries to steal his car after being pressured by his cousin’s gang. Both Father Janovich and the Shaman, Kor Khue, have come to the conclusion that Walt is unable to move on from his past, therefore, is not free. During a drink with Walt, Father Janovich suggests that this way of life was an aftermath of the Korean War. Confirming this observation in his explicit way, Walt replies with “the thing that haunts a guy is the stuff he wasn't ordered to do.” Above all else, Walt is surrounded by people who, during the war, was told to be his enemy, which triggers tormenting memories of brutal murders he had to commit. The audience’s first impression of Walt is he’s just another loud-mouth,
old-school, racist man, but as the film progresses, they soon develop the idea that there is more to Walt than what meets the eye.

Ultimately , like his beloved Gran Torino in the garage, Walt is guarded and locked away; A beautiful thing that has never seen the light.
For example, when Thao and his family were being harassed by the gang, Walt swoops in and saves the day, disguising his heroic act as a selfish deed. This incident earns him the respect of the community,and he becomes a reluctant hero to Thao’s mother and sister. As a way to make amends for his actions, Thao’s mother makes her son do work for Walt. Despite his best efforts, Walt becomes acquainted with Thao’s family and develops a different perspective on Hmong culture. Walt comes towards a crossroad, and has to “choose between two life paths” when he discovers Sue being harassed by a group of wannabe gangsters. Even though, this is not part of his lawn or neighbourhood and can go on with his day, he stops and helps Sue out of this dangerous
situation.
As Walt grows closer with Sue and Thao, he comes to the realization that he has more in common with their family than his own. He takes Thao under his wing, and teaches him how to be a man, similar to a father teaching his son. Therefore, Walt and Thao was able to experience a relationship that they never had before. While this relationship developed, both Walt and Thao have personal issues to deal with; Walt learns he has cancer, and the Hmong gang would not leave the Vang Lor family, even after Walt’s intervention.