Gran Torino Stereotypes

I chose to watch “Gran Torino”. The movie takes place in Detroit in the early 2000s. The main character is Walt Kowalski. Walt’s neighborhood is changing around him. The neighborhood used to a flourishing part of the city when the automobile industry was on the rise. When the companies moved out, many people left with them. The movie starts with Walt at his wife’s funeral. Walt is very prejudice in the way he views his grandchildren. His grandaughter walks in with a piercing, and he gives her a nasty look when she did nothing to him. The reception takes place at Walt’s home. During the reception, Walt gets a knock at his door. A young boy is there, Thao, and asks for jumper cables and is rejected by Walt. Thao is part of the Vang Lor family

Another gang saves him, and he refuses to get in the car. Later that day, the gang approaches Thao and want him to be part of the gang. Part of his initiation is to steal Walt’s Gran Torino. Walt catches Thao trying to steal the Gran Torino. Walt shot his rifle when he slipped and Thao got away. This is a stereotype that immigrants always steal and try to get into gangs. There is also a bad stigma on gangs. The gang comes back the next day to punish Thao for his failure. The gang tries to drag him away, but Walt comes outside and points a gun at them. Walt makes racist references to the gang because he fought in the Korean War and talks about burning their bodies. The gang leaves Thao

This is a culture aspect for the Hmong. Walt realizes that the neighborhood looks bad. This is when classism is displayed. Thao works for Walt to improve the class of the neighborhood. Thao starts to fix the gutters of the house across the street. He also paints the house and removes the dead bushes. He also tries to take out a dead tree. Thao has the honor to wash the Gran Torino. Thao works in the garden and responds with it being women's work which is an example of a sexism. Thao gets a job for a construction company and Walt buys his equipment. Thao gets mugged by the gang on his way home from work. Walt hears about this and beats up one of the gang members. The gang retaliates with a drive by on the Vang Lor family and raping Sue. This causes Thao to seek revenge with Walt. The priest knows Walt wants to retaliate with Thao but doesn’t want him to. Walt locks Thao in his basement to keep him from going with Walt to the gang’s house. Walt talks to the gang while the entire neighborhood watches. Walt pulls a cigarette and puts it in his mouth. The gang is jumpy and pull out guns. Walt then reaches for a lighter and is shot multiple times by the gang. The police arrest the gang members. Walt does this to protect the Vang Lor family for the future. In his will, he gives the Gran Torino to