We continued watching Gran Torino in class today, and so far, a great movie. It has suspense and a deeply rooted plot, as well as some intense moments.But I think what was on everyone's mind were the racial slurs used in the films. As we sat in class and watched the film, I have to admit it, I laughed...a lot. I couldn't help myself, the movie is funny. And at times I thought, should I really be laughing at these jokes and slurs?
I think more and more people are looking at this the wrong way. This movie does more than just make jokes at the expense of Asian people. It brings to light how racism is still alive and well, and how anyone, no matter what age or past experiences, can change and become a better and more accepting person.
Let's first look at the journey of the protaganist, Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood), and his background. He is old school. He was in the Korean War where he learned to despise North Koreans. He then turned that hate into a hate for all Asians. He also makes fun of African-Americans, Latinos and even other white europeans.
But as the film progresses, his heart is won by his neighbor Sue Lor. She doesn't allow his racist comments to phase her. She just laughs it of and keeps trying to connect with Walt. He eventually is taken in by the kindness of her family and her, and developes a friendship with Sue's brother, who he calls Toad.
Many see this change as symbolic as what can happen with people who still hold racist feelings deep inside. But is this realistic, or just another Hollywood feel-good story?
There is still an opinion that this film settles for superficial views of the Hmong people. An article on the Asian Weekly Web site gives another angle on the film.
The article states the flaws in the film, including how all the gangs are the same gun waving, music blaring thugs. Also in the film, the viewer can't differentiate whether Walt's racial slurs are actually "hateful or showing grudging admiration to his targets."
I honestly don't know enough about the Hmong people to say whether or not this film helped or hurt the people, but as for a film that sheds light onto the ongoing race issues in our society, this film definitely succeeds. There is still a lot to be done, but hopefully, with new generations we can change the attitude of all people harboring racist ideals and make everyone accepting and tolerable of all races and cultures.
I agree with you that the movie points out that racism still exists in our world today. Whether or not it is something to "make light of" I will disagree, however, I do believe that is what the movie did. I had mixed emotions towards Clint Eastwood throughout the movie. There were times when I was completely disgusted with him. I though his racial slurs and horrible displays of prejudice were not acceptable for the media to allow. I do understand that the movie was trying to make a point, and in the end I believe it did, but some of the scenes in the beginning were a little hard to me to stomach for me. Throughout the movie, you see him soften as he gets closer to the family. The interaction with his neighbors I felt seem to bring him to peace before his death. Leading up to the ending, you would not have thought he would have ended up commiting such a selfless act for an asian family.
ReplyDeleteI think this movie could teach people something who still have the same prejudice views as Eastwoods. If you "walk a mile in another man's shoes" you tend to learn a lot on the way. I feel that as soon as he experienced life, so to speak, from the neighbor's viewpoint, it seemed to change him for the better. If everyone spent time with someone unlike themselves-a different race, gender or sexual orientation, im sure people would come to a better understanding.
I liked the link you posted Griffin. I started with that. I think its interesting to note that yeah, the gangs were all the same. In fact, probably the most "human" of all the gangs were the black group. They actually had a conversational piece after Kowalski and Sue drive away. Whereas the Latino gang jsut flash insults. The Hmong gang were static characters the entire time, showing up and just gang-banging, trying to get Thao into the gang.
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely issues with modern racism today, I'm glad we got to watch this movie to witness at least one side of it. Crash is way too much in-your-face about it.
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ReplyDeleteLike Kyle, I also started with the link to the Northwest Asian Weekly. The author, Andrew Hamlin, was quick to point out how the movie incompletely described Hmong culture and the differences between Hmong or non-Hmong gangs. In a lot of ways, Hamlin misses the positive aspects of the movie.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the simple fact the Clint Eastwood was able in 2008 to debut a movie about race in American society. If you haven’t noticed, Hollywood movie studios these days have steered away from any movies that might try to bring to light prejudice in America. (Check out my blog Interview with Spike Lee).
Second, the story was about the protagonist, Walt Kowalski, not the Hmong family. If the story was about Thao Vang Lor, it would have followed his every action, not Walt’s. The fact that a Hmong family was profiled as the neighbor is a step in the right direction. They could have used a Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, or Filipino family, but instead decided to use a group of people that should receive some recognition for their sacrifices during the Vietnam War, especially when thousands of them were slaughter by the Vietnamese communists after the United States pulled out in 1973. I imagine this movie, in that since, was a history lesson for most Americans.
The racial slurs in the movie were hard to hear and definitely cause a reaction in those listening. Interesting how the same technique was used in Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing”, and I do not recall much being said in the media about it. Here is a clip if you want to see for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOxOR3x8FBQ
I thought Gran Torino was a good movie that deals with racism. I was reading a blog after it came out though that wasn't so impressed with the way it was written. The blogger was offended that the storyline was just of another white man coming to rescue a poor minority. They felt it sent the wrong message that the good guy is always white and the bad people(Latino, Asian and Black) were all portrayed as gang members at some point in the film.
ReplyDeleteI see both sides of the arguement. I think what the movie was trying to do was show the transformation of Clint Eastwoods character from a racist to a lesser racist. I'm not convinced at the end of the movie he was totally accepting of the Hmong but progress was made. I think it was uncomfortable for most of us to listen to the racial slurs throughout the film but we all know they are still out there being said. It's so important for films to break down the racial barriers and breakthrough stereotypes.
Is it important to have direct experience with other?
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