Gran Torino

I was thinking about the movie during my workout this morning. I identified five discussion points in the story…. Around the themes of family, work, friendship, love, home.

1. Walt Kowalski’s family models the splintered American family: a veneer of cordiality, but contentious, distant, disconnected, annoyed. The Hmong family next door is a cultural contrast where children are welcomed and the elderly respected.
2. Walt’s work ethic is reflected in his collection of well organized tools, the condition of his Gran Torino and the essence of the message he passes down to his adopted son, Thao.
3. Walt’s two friends are his barber and a local building contractor; and then Sue Lor, the Hmong girl from next door who reaches out to him.
4. Walt’s loss (the death of his wife) is something he bears alone. He sees the gang-bangers as an affront to everything he cares about, but he passes along the high value of a love between a man and a woman to Thao.
5. He keeps his home and garden in good repair – and teaches Thao to do the same. It catches on in the neighborhood.

Religion is another element – both the traditions of Catholicism (sermonizing, memorial service, confession, etc) and the religion of the Hmong people play a role (baby dedication, “reading” by an elderly holy man).

But perhaps the most compelling element is the sacrificial death… More meaning to explore.