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Gran Torino
(2008)
(2008)
Gran Torino is a 2008 film that Clint Eastwood produced and starred in. The movie centers around Walt, a Korean War veteran whose wife has recently passed away leaving him unhappy, angry, and disappointed in the behaviors of his family and country. His housing area has become populated with poor, immigrant families and gang violence has become commonplace. When Thao, Walt’s young neighbor, tries to steal Walt’s 1972 Ford Torino to complete his initiation into a gang, Walt angrily prevents the theft, riffle in hand. As Walt comes to understand and participate in the cultural traditions of his new neighbors, he begins to develop a friendship with the immigrant family next door. Throughout the film, Walt’s demeanor and feelings toward the significantly different culture surrounding him soften and he eventually gives his life to protect them.
Martin and Nakayama (2014) define conflict as “involving a perceived or real incompatibility of goals, values, expectations, processes, or outcomes between two or more inter-dependent individuals or groups” (p. 231). Because the film Gran Torino has several significantly different cultures: age, race, social status, religion and values within the community, the probability of intercultural conflicts arising is high.
The first example of cultural conflict occurs during the birthday scene and proves the statement “even when people speak the same language, there can be differences in communication style and language use” to be true (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 153). Walt’s military background, specifically his involvement in the Korean War have generated his racist, stereotypical, and prejudiced culture that causes a large gap between him and his young family members. This divide is extremely evident when Walt’s oldest son and wife stop by with presents and a retirement home suggestion that are quickly declined.
“Value conflict, a more serious type, occurs when people have differing ideologies” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 228). An example of value conflict is demonstrated between Thao and his cousin Spider. Like Walt and his son, Thao and Spider share the same ethnic culture and languages, but their values are distinctly different. Thao is hardworking with high moral standards and respect for others while Spider is selfish, entitled and violent. Because of this severe contrast in values, Thao and Spider have multiple moments of conflict throughout the film.
Popular culture, as its name suggests, are “forms of contemporary culture that are made popular by and for the people through their mass consumption of these products” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, G-6). These items are made popular through television, music, videos, and popular magazines.
The first major example of pop culture in the movie is the actual Ford Gran Torino itself. “Pop culture bears the interest of the people”, and people all around the world are especially interested in muscle cars (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 207). The appreciation for the car from multiple cultures is displayed in the interaction between Walt and the Hmong gang as Walt says, “Ain’t she sweet”, and the gang members reply with “Yo, it’s in mint condition, man” (Eastwood, 2008). The initial conflict begins when the Hmong gang tries to steal the prized possession from Walt.
Another example of pop culture I noticed was the American patriotism shown, specifically by the older generations in the film. While I’m sure most Americans have a sense of patriotism, it is especially popular in older individuals that have had personal experience with the military and war. Throughout the movie, the American flag was shown waving on Walt’s porch; additionally the barber shop and the bar had various American pictures and emblems displayed as well.
Lastly, the hip hop and rap music that was utilized during scenes with the younger gang members stands as another representative of pop culture. “Popular culture can be said to have four significant characteristics: it is produced by culture industries, it is different from folk culture, it is everywhere, and it fills a social function” (Martin and Nakayama, 2014, p. 208). Music in general fits into every one of these categories, and the rap and hip hop genres are especially known for their popularity with younger crowds.
The conclusion to the film was drastic and dramatic, more suited for a great movie ending than a real life solution in my opinion. That being said, I have never been in such a dangerous life situation where I have felt unsafe in my own neighborhood. I would have tried several different problem solving tactics before using the solution the movie presented. Throughout the film, I felt there was a constant competitive conflict and never any attempt at cooperative conflict. Conflict competition, where “each is treating the other badly because it feels that the other deserves to be treated badly because the other treats it badly and so on” generally spirals down a negative path (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, 242). Instead of a constant battle of who could get back at the other better, a cooperative, Walt and the community confronting the gang may have yielded a less unfortunate ending.
The film in its entirety, was a much better movie than I had originally expected. It made me feel all sorts of emotions; sad, anger, love, admiration, and shock. I enjoyed the morals it presented and the idea of taking extreme lengths to protect your beliefs and the people you love. The character I related to most was Thao. Having also lost my father at a young age, I connected with the feeling of being lost without a role model, being coerced into doing things your know are wrong so that you will fit in somewhere, finding a new role model in someone unexpected, and protecting the family you have left at any cost. My favorite character as it relates to views and perspectives would be Thao’s sister Sue. I admire how she took a racist neighbor, who was insulting and obscene, and introduced him to the Hmong community and their customs in order to let him understand them better. I like to think that I would be able to help someone like that see the ignorance behind their way of thinking and help bring about that kind of change in a person.
Martin and Nakayama (2014) define conflict as “involving a perceived or real incompatibility of goals, values, expectations, processes, or outcomes between two or more inter-dependent individuals or groups” (p. 231). Because the film Gran Torino has several significantly different cultures: age, race, social status, religion and values within the community, the probability of intercultural conflicts arising is high.
The first example of cultural conflict occurs during the birthday scene and proves the statement “even when people speak the same language, there can be differences in communication style and language use” to be true (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 153). Walt’s military background, specifically his involvement in the Korean War have generated his racist, stereotypical, and prejudiced culture that causes a large gap between him and his young family members. This divide is extremely evident when Walt’s oldest son and wife stop by with presents and a retirement home suggestion that are quickly declined.
“Value conflict, a more serious type, occurs when people have differing ideologies” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 228). An example of value conflict is demonstrated between Thao and his cousin Spider. Like Walt and his son, Thao and Spider share the same ethnic culture and languages, but their values are distinctly different. Thao is hardworking with high moral standards and respect for others while Spider is selfish, entitled and violent. Because of this severe contrast in values, Thao and Spider have multiple moments of conflict throughout the film.
Popular culture, as its name suggests, are “forms of contemporary culture that are made popular by and for the people through their mass consumption of these products” (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, G-6). These items are made popular through television, music, videos, and popular magazines.
The first major example of pop culture in the movie is the actual Ford Gran Torino itself. “Pop culture bears the interest of the people”, and people all around the world are especially interested in muscle cars (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, p. 207). The appreciation for the car from multiple cultures is displayed in the interaction between Walt and the Hmong gang as Walt says, “Ain’t she sweet”, and the gang members reply with “Yo, it’s in mint condition, man” (Eastwood, 2008). The initial conflict begins when the Hmong gang tries to steal the prized possession from Walt.
Another example of pop culture I noticed was the American patriotism shown, specifically by the older generations in the film. While I’m sure most Americans have a sense of patriotism, it is especially popular in older individuals that have had personal experience with the military and war. Throughout the movie, the American flag was shown waving on Walt’s porch; additionally the barber shop and the bar had various American pictures and emblems displayed as well.
Lastly, the hip hop and rap music that was utilized during scenes with the younger gang members stands as another representative of pop culture. “Popular culture can be said to have four significant characteristics: it is produced by culture industries, it is different from folk culture, it is everywhere, and it fills a social function” (Martin and Nakayama, 2014, p. 208). Music in general fits into every one of these categories, and the rap and hip hop genres are especially known for their popularity with younger crowds.
The conclusion to the film was drastic and dramatic, more suited for a great movie ending than a real life solution in my opinion. That being said, I have never been in such a dangerous life situation where I have felt unsafe in my own neighborhood. I would have tried several different problem solving tactics before using the solution the movie presented. Throughout the film, I felt there was a constant competitive conflict and never any attempt at cooperative conflict. Conflict competition, where “each is treating the other badly because it feels that the other deserves to be treated badly because the other treats it badly and so on” generally spirals down a negative path (Martin & Nakayama, 2014, 242). Instead of a constant battle of who could get back at the other better, a cooperative, Walt and the community confronting the gang may have yielded a less unfortunate ending.
The film in its entirety, was a much better movie than I had originally expected. It made me feel all sorts of emotions; sad, anger, love, admiration, and shock. I enjoyed the morals it presented and the idea of taking extreme lengths to protect your beliefs and the people you love. The character I related to most was Thao. Having also lost my father at a young age, I connected with the feeling of being lost without a role model, being coerced into doing things your know are wrong so that you will fit in somewhere, finding a new role model in someone unexpected, and protecting the family you have left at any cost. My favorite character as it relates to views and perspectives would be Thao’s sister Sue. I admire how she took a racist neighbor, who was insulting and obscene, and introduced him to the Hmong community and their customs in order to let him understand them better. I like to think that I would be able to help someone like that see the ignorance behind their way of thinking and help bring about that kind of change in a person.