Getting old and aging are things that have become difficult points for many and despite the negative representation of the elderly in film, they do serve a purpose. On the big screen we continue to see many underpinnings of ageist assumptions when in fact many of the characters are strong figures that ‘Still have the Right Stuff”. Clint Eastwood dispels that myth and several significant scenes epitomize this concept in the movie hit Gran Torino (2008).
Gran Torino (2008) exposes and defends against ageist assumptions although many believe the underlying theme is that of racism and bigotry. We see an older man, Walt Kowalski
(Eastwood) who has lost his wife and grows throughout the movie because of his relationship with a boy.When the neighbour Thao comes into his life, Walt learns to appreciate life again.
Throughout the film we see signs of Walt’s need for reverence and recognition of the
American dream he fought for during the Vietnam war. With age comes many expectations also from the younger generation, including respect and proper behaviour. The opening scene at his wife’s funeral, Walt displays his disgust with the disrespectful behaviour of his grandchildren and the lack of concern of his adult sons and daughters-in-laws. Many are quick to judge older people as miserable and difficult to deal with but if we looked at it from his perspective we might see this as a time for respect and Walt’s character captures this perfectly. Walt’s distaste for his son driving a Toyota and his pride in his ownership of a 1972 Ford Gran Torino continues to strengthen his patriotic pride as well as showing his aging side that cannot accept anything un-American. In the beginning we also see signs of physical aging but by...
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...ood’s portrayal of Walt was one of an old man who hiked his pants up to his nipples, was angry and volatile yet caring underneath. We not only see an aged man but one who had the right stuff needed “: to stand in the face of multiple firearms, knowing that he will be executed.
Works Cited
Chivers, S. (2014). The Silvering Screen, Yes, We Still Can. Course Kit, 109-120.
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.
Gleberson, W. (2014, January 13th). Still the Right Stuff (In Later Years) Lecture and Powerpoint. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Eastwood, C. (Director). (2008). Gran Torino [Motion Picture].
Redding, A. (2014). A Finish Worthy of the Start: The Poetics of Age and Masculinity in Clint Eastwood's Gran Turino. Course Kit, 117-124.
Gran Torino is one of those films with an outstanding and significant topic presented to its viewers. The character of Walt is introduced as a bitter old man who does not seem to have loving emotions. Living in a low income and immigrant populated neighborhood, the audience is exposed to a different and perhaps unknown perspective, such as Hmong’s cultural norms.
To prove that he is a valiant father, Walter Younger disregards his own desires and moves his family into a better home. Doing this, Walter sets an example for Travis, encouraging him to go after his dreams. In the process, Walter causes a racial conflict with the white community and learns to stand up for what he believes in. From the personal growth of Walter Younger one can see the significance in fighting for what’s important, as well as, making sacrifices for those that one
bitter old man who is unwilling to talk about the things that made him the way he is.
This episode illustrates a major conflict throughout the story. As Walter dreams bigger and bigger he seems to leave the 'smaller' things such as his family behind. This movement away from the family is against the furtherance of the values and morals of the family. While his father would have been happy simply working and caring for his family, Walter is more concerned with becoming a 'mover and shaker' without thinking about the resulting consequences for his family.
Stereotyping, racial slurs, and labeling and norms are seen and used on a daily basis and can be observed in virtually any aspect of life, from race to religion. These aspects are used repeatedly throughout the popular movie “Gran Torino.” Clint Eastwood plays the raunchy character Walt Kowalski, a Korean War Veteran, whose memories from the war continue to haunt him. His values, and beliefs lead him to pass judgment upon others that he encounters. He doesn’t seem to get along with anyone in his decaying Detroit neighborhood but an unlikely bond with his Hmong neighbors lead him to redemption, coming face-to-face with the same catastrophic bias’s consuming the community gang members that have consumed him.
certain age. Studies of ageist attitudes tend to focus on negative aspects and also have a positive
In fact, there was a lecture where (Joshi, 2017b) provided an example of a negative stereotype of an older adult that was illustrated with toddler like features in a comic book. This example itself demonstrates how society makes fun of older adults, which relates to the cultural differences between the western society and their values compared to the teachings and values of the east. I could relate to stereotyping older adults stemming from differences in society because eastern society for example, places more emphasis on respecting elders while being more conservative because of their knowledge and experience in life, whereas some parts of the west may be more open to each other while communicating and allowing older adults to be the comedians of society for entertainment purposes which may not be the most considerate idea. Another good example that would debunk the fact that stereotypes should not be generalized across a group of people would be in the lecture where (Joshi, 2016c) explained that many older adults return to their hobbies or activities that they used to enjoy doing when they were younger which is an example of what the continuity theory would suggest. In short, I have changed my perspective on how I use my judgment when it comes to evaluating what the media or other sources put out for their audience such as
At first Walt has his own way of thinking but just simple conversations with his father cause him to change his perspective. Walt has a sweet beautiful girl as a girlfriend but because of his father’s opinions of women, he changes the way he feels about her. In the movie Walt is talking with his girlfriend, and instead of admiring her perfections he magnifies her imperfections and tells her, “I wish you had less freckles” but she doesn’t know how to respond (The Squid and the Whale). He has this idea from his father that he deserves the absolute best, and he needs to share every idea that comes to mind. He regrets breaking up with her immediately and when he is asked why he did it he says ,“I thought I could do better” (The Squid and the Whale).Walt shows no respect for his struggling mother. He allows his father’s opinions decide how he handles situations. His father treats his mother with contempt, so Walt does the same. Walt moves on from being a somewhat decent young man to an angry teenager with lack of stability, which causes him to struggle. He jumps from house to house between his parents and struggles to find a home. He lets people believe that he is fine, but he is being torn apart by something he can’t control. It’s easier for him to hate his mother for cheating on his father than for him to take the time to understand what she is going through. His sense of entitlement works against him, and causes him to brush off others problems and only worry about his own. He tells himself that he’s fine and he doesn’t need anyone, but he has weak moments where he gets emotional but feels guilty for it. He sees his father in a weak condition and feels he should be the man instead of the child and be strong for his father. Walt doesn’t evolve entirely, but the changes that are clear in him are reflections of his father. The small amount of hope he has in the
305). Society is constantly bombarded by messages informing us about how to reduce the signs of aging, instead of accepting the natural process (Germov, 2014, p. 305). These beliefs have lead to ageism being very common in society. Ageism is best defined as the negative attitudes, which are associated with the aging process (Novak, 2006, p. 3). Ageism involves an individual or group being stereotyped and experiencing discrimination due to their biological age (Novak, 2006, p. 3). This discrimination can be direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment (Johnson, 2013, p. 27). Unlike other individuals and groups who are stereotyped and discriminated against, those who are making these comments will one day themselves be of old
In the article “The Thematic Paradigm” exerted from his book, A Certain Tendency of the Hollywood Cinema, Robert Ray provides a description of the two types of heroes depicted in American film: the outlaw hero and the official hero. Although the outlaw hero is more risky and lonely, he cherishes liberty and sovereignty. The official hero on the other hand, generally poses the role of an average ordinary person, claiming an image of a “civilized person.” While the outlaw hero creates an image of a rough-cut person likely to commit a crime, the official hero has a legend perception. In this essay, I will reflect on Ray’s work, along with demonstrating where I observe ideologies and themes.
In today’s society, what was once said to be true and taken as fact regarding older people is no longer the whole story. As Laslett states, “At all times before the middle of the twentieth century and all over the globe the greater part of human life potential has been wasted, by people dying before their allotted time was up.” (1989a), and to a great extent a lot
Clint Eastwood’s film “Gran Torino” traces the end of the life of Walt Kowalski. He has recently gone through a lot – the death of his beloved wife, his distant relationship with his son, his emotional scars from the Korean War and his bad health. All these things stop him from living a proper life. He doesn’t care about himself much – he smokes even though he is sick, he doesn’t eat a lot, he refuses to confess even though that was his wife’s last wish. However, all this changes when he meets the Hmong Family that lives next door. At the beginning he detests them because of their similarity to the Koreans, but later, as he gets to know them, they become the family that he was never able to have. The story traces the psychological changes in Walt’s character due to his unusual bond with the Hmong family, which changes are one of the main strengths of the film.
Jenkins, Mary. "Clint Eastwood, A Reluctant Savior In 'Gran Torino'." (2008): n. page. Web. 23 Feb. 2012.
Clint Eastwood’s film, Gran Torino, shows numerous distinctive concepts posed in the field of multicultural psychology that occurs in our world everyday. The film features a broad range of aspects found in an individualistic culture versus a collectivist culture. The main characters of the movie that represent these different cultures are Walt Kowalski, who comes from a background of American culture, and Thao Lor and Sue Lor, who are immigrants from Vietnam apart of the Hmong community. The characters and the themes in the film include the concepts of guilt versus shame, different types of communication, the view of women in different cultures, and family roles
Gran Torino is a suspense film directed by Clint Eastwood, which portrays the relationship between a 78-year-old Koran war veteran and his neighbors who are from Laos. The main character, Walt is a racist who still has memories from the horrors of war and has a dislike for anyone, including his own family. After his young neighbor Thao is coerced by his cousin’s gang into stealing Walt’s prized Gran Torino, a unusual relationship forms between the pair. Walt starts to respect Thao and his culture while fulfilling a fatherly role that Thao is lacking. Eventually, Walt has to confront the gang knowing that the confrontation will end in his death. Apart from the stereotypical, get off my lawn quote, this film depicts the relationship of family concerning the care for older adults, the struggle with despair and meaning later in life, and the morality of a good death. This paper will address each of these themes.