Last night I saw Clint Eastwood’s movie, “Gran Torino.” Eastwood knows how to capture a Red-Neck, blue-collar racist who redeems himself by sacrificing to save others. It is the story of Walter, a lapsed Catholic, Pabst Blue Ribbon drinking, retired autoworker. Being a veteran of the Korean War still haunts him. He happens to live in his neighborhood that has changed with Hmongs moving in and thus, some gang problems. You have to laugh at Walter’s narrow minded view of his changing world. It could have been filmed right here in Sheboygan.
Apart from the foul language and all the various racist names for Asian people, I got a better glimpse into the blessings and stresses of growing up Hmong in America. The end of the movie has definetly “Christ-like” symbolism. He is more than a grumpy old man.
Why the title? Here’s my take: The 1972 Gran Torino is a metaphor for the past image of American macho strength. After 1972 we left Vietnam in failure. The Asian car makers started to gain momentum and the rest is history.
I think I need to go to Confession…
