Gran Torino (With Minor Disclaimers)

In Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood took his traditional role as the classic anti-hero--a hero with no characteristics of the average hero, save heroics. His Character--Walt--he takes no bulls* (Pardon my French, that is the best way I could describe him.). He is quick to draw his gun on any seeming threat, and does so when the gangs are causing trouble next door. Because he protected their family and protected Thao, Sue and her family are incredibly grateful to him. They shower him with at first unwelcome gifts and kindness. But Sue begins to bring him into the family and - well actually I want to pause here and say what a difference it made to speak with Kalia the same day I saw this movie. Reading her book and hearing her talk about the Hmong and their culture affected the way I watched this movie. I had a vivid description to connect with the picture on the screen, the large family, the gathering, the shaman--everything I was seeing seemed to be pulled together by Kalia's eloquent description of the Hmong family and traditions.

Walt begins to take Thao under his wings at the family gathering, but when Thao begins working for Walt to apologize for his attempt to steal the Gran Torino, the bizarre bond solidifies. Walt takes him in almost as a son--filling the spot that the two pricks he has for sons did not. (Again, sorry, but they deserve this name--they were making fun of their father at their mother's funeral...) When he sees the gangs trying to throw Thao from his path to a successful life, he does all he can do to help--even finds him a job. But the gangs do not relent, and it escalates to the point where Walt can no longer hold himself in check, and he takes action to stop it by giving the gang a firm warning and threat. But they fight back--barbarically--shooting up the home of Thao's family and gang-raping Sue beyond recognition. This was the point in the movie when I began to fall apart. My muscles tensed, my nerves shook, and my mind struggled to fathom what it was taking in, despite the knowledge that the characters and story were fictitious.

Walt knows what he must do, and he does it. A loud scene, a false threat, and a fall seen by all around him. He gave his life for the neighbors he loved as his own family.
This movie is one of the most powerful I have ever seen. I cried, I'm talking really crying here. I have never once cried during a movie. Not once. But when Thao and Sue rushed to the scene where Walt had died, I had to cry, there was nothing else to do. His body was defeated--so many holes from so many bullets from so many guns. His body was defeated but his spirit had triumphed--he had achieved his mission; he protected his family--his new Hmong family--the only way he truly could, and he had been successful.

This movie bleeds with painful reality, truth, beauty, love. In my eyes, Clint Eastwood's crude character was truly beautiful. He was true and raw and unabashed. The racial slurs stood out to many who watched this movie. Not to me. They meant nothing. Racial slurs are insignificant in comparison to his unconditional love for Thao and Sue. This is what matters. This is what this film is about. This says every good thing about every good person. This is the pinnacle of love.
"Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15: 13