MovieChat Forums > Gran Torino (2009) Discussion > Rewatched recently

Rewatched recently

posted 7 years ago by filmtenk (765)
13 replies | jump to latest

I didn’t recall how much of a ball buster Walt was in this film. He dishes it out to everyone constantly. Italians, Irish, Hmomg no one is safe (I would include myself as being one of these ethnicities). Even though he’s definitely a racist, there’s something endearing about him. No one should talk like this anymore and most people do not. I found it hilarious at times but can see why a lot of people, especially today, would have an issue. I guess the question is can a person be a racist and a good man at the same time?

[–] Renovatio (2990) 7 years ago

Yes, none of us is just one thing... 👍

He also learns more empathy and how to relate more fully with the changing world as the movie goes on while staying true to the better of his values, which he imparts on the young boy... You can see how he identifies with the Hmong's sense of family and such, which is a value he considers important and missing in his own family... Lots of ideas like this, so nuanced and at times contradictory...

It's an interesting movie and complex characterisation for sure... More relevant than ever... Also a lot of fun

[–] Catbookss (13664) 7 years ago

"You can see how he identifies with the Hmong's sense of family and such, which is a value he considers important and missing in his own family... Lots of ideas like this, so nuanced and at times contradictory...

It's an interesting movie and complex characterisation for sure..."

That's exactly why I liked his character and this movie so much.

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

It's an odd movie in that it takes an unusual situation (for a movie) and plays it almost for laughs. His family is painfully comical, his attitude toward his neighbors is comical as well, but when they offer him food and beer, ookay then, now we're talking. Into the pit of vipers we go. And it's such a typical family. The kids segregate themselves downstairs, probably trying to sneak a smoke or something, and the boys don't know how to relate to the girls. Exactly the way I remember growing up, up to a point. Walt's been there and tries to help out. I love it. Too bad it had to be a real movie and create some actual menace. It was better as a quasi-documentary of life changing in the Motor City.

[–] crc32 (2584) 7 years ago

Yes this is the story of a bitter old racists man that redeems himself through self sacrifice in the most final way. Are we at a point were even racism from an old Korean war vet is unredeemable?

[–] crc32 (2584) 7 years ago

Theres plenty of crazy old men that talk like walt. I think its an old senile thing. Are you going to challenge them as if there actually directly hostile towards you (to me there just talking out their ass when I encounter them) or are you just going to avoid them they way you avoid a hostile drunk guy?

[–] filmtenk (765) 7 years ago

I can’t avoid them it’s my job but I’m usually not the target of their racism. White privilege I guess. Though sometimes I’ll get a hint of bigotry being of Italian decent (1/2) but it’s very rare and doesn’t compare to what POC have to deal with.

[–] crc32 (2584) 7 years ago

To me by the time some one goes racists they sound pretty crazy already so its like "I'm out".

[–] filmtenk (765) 7 years ago

I get and I agree with your philosophy. The old timers simply do not have our perspective. They came from a different time when being racist wasn’t considered a form of dementia, it was the way of many. I’m not excusing it just trying to understand it.

[–] McQualude (4231) 7 years ago

I believe it is more correct to call him a bigot since he only uses words and never actually descriminates against Koreans.

[–] Satan2016 (25887) 7 years ago

Is like Archie Bunker? I like how he was more popular than Meathead.

[–] kenburke (2386) 6 years ago

He may be a racist but he's not a malicious racist.

[–] LordBAElish (2015) 6 years ago

All of Walt's friends in the movie used racist language, the barber, the construction foreman. Probably just how guys in that generation spoke. They may have used slurs and seemed racist, but deep down could still care for different types of people. Walt was still calling Toa a zip or slope etc. long after they established their friendship.

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

I think the term racist is tossed about too eagerly these days. Racism may exist in many forms, but thoughts and words versus actions are different things. Walt was disgusted with the world and he made it clear when people invaded his bubble, but he wasn't going to do anything about it. He was resigned that people are self-serving jerks. And of course, by the end of the movie, he comes to like his neighbors, the Hmong. So he's not a racist, he's a human being with things to learn, and perhaps a good man, as you say. He did serve his country, and lives without incident.