Gran Torino Analysis

 Gran Torino is a movie that depicts a clash of culture and prejudice. The movie open with Clinton Eastwood starring as Mr. Waltz Kowalski (a War World II veteran) at the funeral of his wife. Mr. Waltz barely has a conducive relationship with his two sons and grandchildren. He is bitter with a lot of things in live like his children (one of which is driving a foreign car even though Mr. Waltz has worked with Fords for years) just interested in his money, granddaughter in his car and that his new neighbors do no take care of their lawn and are not Americans. All these sets up a perfect climate of cultural clash not only with his neighbors but with his children and grandchildren.

            One area of cultural conflict is when could be seen when his neighbor’s daughter (Sue) finally convinced him to come over for a barbeque. While there Mr. Waltz touches the head of a child. It is normal in the American culture to give a pat on someone’s head especially children. He was surprised when he turned around and everyone in the room was staring at him. This is because the Mong people see it as disrespectful to touch another’s head because their culture has it that everyone’s souls rest on their head. Mr. Waltz things this is absurd as he cannot relate with this cultural aspect.

            Another area of cultural difference is when Tao (Sue’s brother) is requested by his family to come and work for Mr. Waltz to atone for his crime of trying to steal Mr. Waltz 1975 Gran Torino. Mr. Waltz who wanted to use the attempted theft of his car by Tao to keep his distance from his foreign neighbors does not understand why Tao’s family want Tao to work for Mr. Waltz for a couple of weeks. According to Tao’s parents, if he does not work to pay for his attempted theft, that will be dishonoring the family name. This is common of the Asian people that doing anything that could dishonor the family name is taboo.

            With regards to pop culture, the way Mr. Waltz, his Italian barber and his construction Irish friend communicate among themselves represents who they are. They do not find any wrong with the style of communication because they all agree that it is normal to talk that way. Tao who is an outsider to this culture had to bring himself to talk in the same way so he can fit in. Mr. Waltz curses throughout the movie which is an exhibition of a culture that he grew up in and the type of friends he has surrounded himself with. Another pop culture seen in this movie is that of gangs. Tao’s cousins are in a gang and they are using peer persuade and even go as far as intimidating Tao to join the gang. It was against this backdrop that Tao tried stealing Mr. Waltz 1975 Gran Torino to prove himself. This eventually led to main plots on which the entire movie is built on.

            In my opinion, the conclusion of the movie cannot not be the only true way to resolve a conflict. This is because if every cultural conflict was to be settle with the death of anyone, this will not be seen solving that main problem. In the same way, that Mr. Waltz got to understand Tao, Sue and their family and culture, if he gave that second chance to Tao cousins, may be that would have a difference. The priest stated that he has been trying to reach out to this gang. Mr. Waltz would have used that opportunity to work with the priest and reach out to the gang. Also, when he made the decision to go and confront the gang, he should have involved the police. Conflict is usually based on perception. How the opposing parties perceive each other. Like Nwogbaga et al (2015) put it, “the emergence, escalation, de-escalation, resolution, and management of conflicts and crisis all depend on the information sent and received, how they are interpreted, and how they are perceived accordingly” (p.33). I think Mr. Waltz missed an opportunity to engage Tao’s cousins when he failed to involve the priest and the police. Reaching out to the gang and dialoguing with them is always the way out. Using violence as a response to violence only creates more violence.

            This is not my first time watching Gran Torino. However, I have never succeeded in completing the movie. This movie puts into context the essence and importance of intercultural communication. I do not identify myself with a particular character the entire movie but there are instances that I relate with them. I have had to do things when I was younger because of peer pressure and the desire to fit in.  However, if I was to pick a character, who represents me, it will be Tao. Tao has a shy personality, has a good heart and just needed someone to direct him and give him some focus. I was almost the same way when I moved to the US. There were a lot of things I did not know about the American culture and all I wanted to do was fit in so I should be an outsider.