Gran Torino

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Recommended: Stereotypes in films conclusion

Growing old and/or aging are notions many find difficult to tolerate and the prejudices

this age group faces are complex. Nevertheless, despite a negative representation of the elderly in

film, they do serve a purpose. On the big screen we continue to see many adverse principles of

ageism yet in reality many of the characters are solid figures that ‘Still have the Right Stuff” as

lectured by Professor Gleberzon, PHD . Clint Eastwood dispels the myth of ageism and

illustrates he still has the right stuff in the movie, Gran Torino (2008).

The smash-hit at the box office, Gran Torino (2008) exposes and defends against ageism

conventions although many believe the underlying themes are those of racism, bigotry and

redemption. We see an older man, Walt Kowalski, (Eastwood) who has lost his wife, and rather

than shutting down, manages to grow throughout the movie due to his relationship with a

boy. When the neighbour Thao comes into his life, Walt learns to appreciate life again and

counter acts the disengagement theory common when retirement begins to set in.

Throughout the film we see signs of Walt’s need for reverence and recognition of the

American dream he fought so hard for during the Vietnam War. And for someone like Walt, he

has the right stuff to honour it. With old age, various expectations from our adolescent youth is

anticipated, including respect and proper behaviour. The opening scene at his wife’s funeral,

Walt displays his loathing of the disrespectful behaviour of his grandchildren and the lack of

concern from his two sons and daughters-in-laws. Many are quick to judge older people as

miserable and difficult to deal with but if we observed it from Walt’s perspective; we might see

...

... middle of paper ...

.... Age should not be a barrier to stop

someone from what they have done in the past unless they choose to let it be. As we have seen

through Gran Torino (2008), aging does not extinguish a person’s capabilities but allows them to

flourish in new aspects of life.

Works Cited

Chivers, S. (2014). The Silvering Screen, Yes, We Still Can. Course Kit, 127-133.

Cox, D. (2012, 02 28). TheGuardian.Com. Retrieved January 26, 2014, from http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2012/feb/28/films-bad-job-portraying-old-people.

Eastwood, C. (Director). (2008). Gran Torino [Motion Picture]

Gleberzon, W. (2014, January 13th and 27th). Still the Right Stuff (In Later Years) Lecture and Powerpoint. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Redding, A. (2014). A Finish Worthy of the Start: The Poetics of Age and Masculinity in Clint Eastwood's Gran Turino. Course Kit, 117-126.

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