Introduction
Representing a generation through the depiction of a single character is a challenging task. In his movie Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood has played an exceptional role that reveals how changes in one’s cultural environment can cause a person to change their views on societal cohesion. In the example of Walt, a viewer can see an interracial conflict caused by a rapidly globalized world and how people adapt to seeing past old hatred. This paper will analyze the character and behavior of Walter Kowalski and his new neighbors in the movie Gran Torino by Clint Eastwood.
Walt’s Adaptation to Cultural Diversity
To say the least, Walt is too stubborn to accept such a drastic change in his life gladly. The movie’s very beginning is the reference to the death of an old, divided society and the birth of a new world where people do not only tolerate but respect each other (Eastwood, 2008). An audience can see how Walt’s initial reaction is almost involuntary and instinctive, as he does not take time to give a second thought regarding his negativity toward a random neighbor from the Hmong community.
Finding himself in an unknown environment with the only experience he has from the war, Walt does not wish to see past his outdated views at first. He is depicted as dismissive and often rude to others when they address his lack of knowledge of other countries (Eastwood, 2008). Walt is not ready to listen until Sue’s bright personality and Thao’s kindness reveal to him what he is missing by being blinded by hatred.
The gradual change in Walt’s behavior is reflected by the changing world around him. At first, Thao’s grandmother can be seen complaining about Walt’s presence in an old and, apparently, previously predominantly white neighborhood in the Hmong language, and this fact irked Walt greatly (Eastwood, 2008, 00:11:58-00:12:18). However, Walt has changed after being completely disillusioned with his family to the point of starting to accept the change. Outside factors have played their role in this process as well through Walt’s unlikely introduction to Hmong culture due to circumstances beyond his control. While Kowalski’s culture praises individual strength and intellect, Hmong people tend to be more community-oriented.
Communication Styles of the Main Characters
Walt has an apparent conflicting personality, resulting in him speaking in short sentences, often through his teeth. He frequently uses racial slurs throughout the movie, although slowly warming up to the new environment, which makes him tone this habit down (Besana et al., 2019). Every time Walt speaks, he does so only to convey his message to others. There is a certain precision in each phrase this character speaks out, although there is no lack of expression in his words. Walt’s communication style is aggressive and strict, making him appear intimidating. It goes to the point of being perceived as thankless, as Walt does like to command rather than ask politely.
On the other hand, Thao is a reserved and calm young Hmong man. He rarely voices his concerns, which alarms his family greatly, including his cousin Fong and leads to the main conflict of the film (Eastwood, 2008). He is easy to convince and readily agrees with others, making him a highly vulnerable member of a community plagued with gang crime. Thao has an analytical, passive communication style that is focused on taking the information in without timely responses.
Sue is the opposite of her brother and Walt in terms of communicability. She expresses herself with dignity and friendliness, although she lacks respect towards others. Besana et al. (2019) state that Sue Lor’s identity as “down to earth” made her look approachable and less elitist (p. 214). However, her timid look does not convey her character, as she has a highly energetic, assertive communication style.
Characters’ Views on Friendship
Walter is a man who apparently closed himself from the world entirely. Not willing to listen to anybody, he is ready to draw a gun on any stranger who did him wrong (Eastwood, 2008). To cope with his lack of real-life encounters with people from cultures different from his, Walt uses stereotypes and generalizations. He is willing to jump to any conclusions that seem convenient enough to fit into his worldview. Despite all this negativity, Walt does befriend his neighbors after several reluctant encounters. He might not be expressing his emotions and conveying his feelings, but Walt does assist them as a sign of peace and friendship. The primary issue for Walt was to find common ground with others, and he did so with Thao by understanding his social isolation (Lee, 2021). After Kowalski does, his fatherly role becomes a prominent part of his communication with Thao and Sue, putting him in the position of a role model in this unlikely friendship. Walt sustains such a relationship by frequently giving advice and even financial support, despite looking as if he did not mean to help.
Thao’s approach to friendship significantly differs yet complements Walt’s, as he can be described to be as reserved as his communication style. However, once he understands the character of the person he is dealing with, Thao is able to adapt to the role that is needed to convince the other party that he is worthy of being acknowledged (Eastwood, 2008). Thao’s way of maintaining friendship is linked to his analytical abilities, as he perceives well what his friend’s intentions are and how he can support them.
At the same time, Thao’s sister is open in her intentions to those she seeks to befriend. She is genuine and straightforward with people, making it easy for her to connect with others despite their intimidating appearance, which confuses Walt greatly (Eastwood, 2008, 00:28:25-00:28:40). Both she and her brother share a great affinity toward their family, which is a model minority myth, but it helps her to connect with Walt, whose family abandoned him (Besana et al., 2019). Despite her optimism, Sue maintains a realistic view of people and knows when a person is not worth her friendship. Otherwise, she will actively engage them with activities that she finds enjoyable for everyone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the depiction of the relationship between Walter and his new neighbors reflects the societal changes in modern society with great precision. The main character gradually relaxes his defenses among people from a different culture due to his life circumstances and openness expressed by the renewed local community. Despite being a story about a White man, Gran Torino provides many insights into the lives of Hmong people, their heritage, and traditions. It is a revealing story about overcoming barriers between people through a common link: a feeling of belonging that everybody seeks in this world.
References
Besana, T., Katsiaficas, D., & Loyd, A. B. (2019). Asian American media representation: A film analysis and implications for identity development. Research in Human Development, 16(3-4), 201-225. Web.
Eastwood, C. (Director). (2008). Gran Torino [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.
Lee, O. E. (2021). A renewed sense of purpose in life through unexpected friendship. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 64(5), 557-560. Web.