Neighbors In The Film: Gran Torino

In 2008, Clint Eastwood starred in a movie called Gran Torino as a character named, “Walt Kowalski.” Kowalski demonstrates a former veteran who faces daily challenges in his neighborhood after his beloved wife passes away. Along with the love of his wife, Kowalski’s only prize possession was his 1972 Gran Torino that was in mint condition. Not having very much communication with his family due to personal issues within, he finds himself making amends and eventually a friendship with his Hmong neighbors. The Hmong neighbors have a more diverse way of doing things than what Kowalski can seem to understand. Walt Kowalski and Thao had several communication diversities with not only their families but also each other. Some of these included religious
Kowalski served in the war for a long period of time which affected his ability to communicate efficiently. His incapability to communicate affected his relationship with his children and family. After Mrs. Kowalski dies, Mr. Kowalski learns that she had been keeping tabs on him with the local priest whom eventually finds a way to bring out Kowalski’s inner feelings. As the story continues to reveal itself, it is obvious that Mr. Kowalski has issues within. Kowalski believed in the prejudices that the Veteran War had taught him. His prejudice beliefs included that foreigners did not belong and anything to do with them or their people was a disgrace. He suffers from his biased/stereotype issue until he discovers a friendship with Thao’s sister, Sue. Sue understands the majority of cultural issues in their town and slowly helps Kowalski understand them, too. Sue finds herself being bullied by the black crew in her town when all of a sudden, Kowalski shows up (without any emotion) and gets rid of the black people with his witty words and a short view of his side held gun. He orders Sue to get into the truck and disciplines her for her social choices. This is the first scene that shows Kowalski’s issue with communication. It is obvious after that after this scene that he finds his heart working faster than his
It isn’t until Sue gets beat up by her cousin, Spider’s gang that encourages Thao to steal Kowalski’s car as a part of his initiation, that Mr. Kowalski shows the tears of love. Thao does not meet the initiation requirements which opens the story for the plot. After watching the Gran Torino, my advice to Mr. Kowalski and the Hmong family is to avoid quick judgment. It is better to learn cultural differences before attacking a situation. All cultures have their own way of handling issues and encounters. Another piece of advice I would recommend is that they find themselves within. Each of the characters faces issues with showing emotions. Along with Mr. Kowalski, Thao has difficulties figuring himself out. Thao attempts the gang initiation because he thought he would find some form of “placement.” It is not long after that Mr. Kowalski reforms the entire youth population, including Thao. In order to make the character’s interactions more effective, I would highly recommend improving their interpersonal skills. Mr. Kowalski finally admits while giving his confession that he did not know how to communicate with his children or what to do in order to develop a relationship with