GRAN TORINO IS A CLASSIC TRAGICOMEDY
Directed by Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino focuses on interaction between Walt Kowalski (played by the director) and the Hmong community in Detroit. When the film begins, there is a funeral of Kowalski’s spouse presided over by youthful Father Jancovich (played by Christopher Carley). During the reception at Kowalski’s house, Kowalski accuses Jancovich of knowing nothing about life and death, but the latter continues to intrude on Kowalski to keep a promise to his recently deceased spouse. Kowalski is a Korean War vet with memories of horror that he cannot suppress, though he is evidently not afflicted by PTSD; instead, his gutter language seems to be a response to that trauma in his life. When a Hmong family moves in next door, Kowalski exhibits strong prejudice against them as “gooks.” However, when he stops members of a Hmong gang from intimidating members of the family, notably Thao Van Lor (played by Bee Vang), they win him over with kindness. To impress the gang, Thao later tries to steal Kowalski’s mint-condition 1972 Gran Torino, but he catches him in the act. His family soon insists that Thao should do penance consisting of two weeks of work for Kowalski. Lacking a father, especially an American one, Thao then finds that Kowalski serves as his role model, particularly in the hilarious scene where Thao learns how to “talk like a man.” Kowalski, meanwhile, enjoys receiving more respect than he gets from his own children, with whom he was never close during their upbringing. However, the principal conflict remains between the gang and Thao. The resolution of that conflict provides a surprise ending, more tragic than comedic but meriting a nomination for best film on the virtues of nonviolence of 2008. MH