My second writing will consist on a review of the film Gran Torino, which, I must say, is one of the best films I have ever watched.
This poignant feature film, released in 2008, tells the evolution of Walt Kowalski, a narrow-minded, Korean War veteran who lives in a neighbourhood taken, little by litlle, by foreigners.
After his wife dies, Walt feels that the only hope he had in his life was gone. He realises that he does not know his own family and he does not even want to get to know them. He has no feath or objectives but obsessions and contained anger. Notwithstanding he discovers a “second family” to take care of and fill with affection: an extremely supersticious Hmong family residing next door.
Gran Torino is a lavish story which limns some social problems such as racism, feath departed, loneliness, street gangs or prejudices.
Personally, I find this film a great source of reflexion: even if you are the most narrow- minded and apathetic man in the world you may have feelings of affection, protection, respect, admiration, friendship and love for the most unexpected people. No matter the colour of their skin, their religion, their traditions, their political ideas, their profession, etc. since they can be the kind of person you may share your life with, and they can become as, or even more, important than your own family or those you considered “friends”.
Everyone should consider this conclusion and stop believing in races, good and bad religions and discriminations with no reason, and start thinking about good and bad people who commit good and bad acts. I am not suggesting taking as extreme meds as Clint Eastwood shows on his film, but thinking in a more terrenal way, worrying about the problem of those good people nearby and not mentioning God or Jesus at any minute while crossing your arms when someone else is suffering around you.
About the linguistic aspects of the film, I would highlight two differenced extremes: on the one hand the continous mention to religious figures such as “Jesus”, “Christ”, “God”, etc; and in the other hand there is a clear use of the slang, characteristic of suburbs and marginal areas like the one shown in the film.
Finally, I totally recommend this film to everybody. In fact, it is one of those searing films which can make you laugh and cry in a short period of time, that is why it is one of my favourite films. My score for Gran Torino would be definitely a 10 out of 10.
