We know it wouldn’t be Prius, Accord, a mini van.

So Why Gran Torino?

Clint Eastwood’s character was a Korean War veteran, living in Detroit among a large Homng American community. He worked at the ford company for many years after the war. Then in 2008 here is Eastwood, presuemably retired, the film follows Eastwood as an old crumudgun. He mentions he installed the cars transmission right on the assembly line in 1972.

The car could be symbolical of Eastwood’s character– it’s a classic/old-school American built car that is considered antiquated in contrast to vehicles in 2008. In this movie, the car is in mint condition. Eastwood is in great shape, but has an ailment causing him to cough up blood.

The 1970s Asian cars became more common; partly due to their quality compared to the US vehicles, as well as the fuel shortage of the time. The motor companies created the “Buy American” / anti-Japanese campaign that caught on. The Torino represents Eastwood.

Eastwood, like his car is a product of a by-gone age. Having served in and survived the Korean war, he adopted an anti-Asian exterior. The movies over-the-top use of profanity and racist stereotypes has been viewed by some as “…a critical examination of an iconic brand of white macho maleness that he [Eastwood] played a significant part in creating” (Wikipedia.org).

Walt’s (Eastwood) self-centered grand daughter wanted the car… and his Hmong American neighbor, Thaou attempts to steal the Torino as part of a gang initiation. The car serves to bring the two together. Walt begins to see beyond his biases seeing Thaou for the person he really is– not just an embodiment of a racist stereotype. In doing so Walt begins to develop an appreciation for the Hmong’s; so much so that he ends up giving his life to save Thaou. Walt leaves the Torino to Thaou in his will– symbolically weaving the past with the future in the present. The story would have been quite different had the car been a Prius.

The second time around watching this movie, I understood that there were some truths to this tale. Though it was whimsical and magical, there was some historical facts behind it. In today’s society, we see suicide as an awful act no matter what the cost; however, in 47 Ronin, each samurai graciously accepted their punishment to kill themselves and be layed next to their master, with great pride, I might add. The first time I watched the movie, I was disappointed, but I now understand that that’s how things were back then in Japan. I see now that the movie is about loyalty, dedication, and pride. Every samurai in 47 Ronin had a place, a role, or a duty to fulfill and seeing the characters that way opposed to an entertainment character makes me understand the movie in a new scope. Overall, I ended up enjoying this movie and appreciating what it had to bring to the big screen.