Gran Torino and The Right Stuff

951 Words2 Pages

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.

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