Gran Torino Character Analysis

The American Dream in Gran Torino
According to Eva Michaels the American Dream is based on the belief that anyone has the ability to be successful as long as they’re willing to put in the hard work. Gran Torino is a movie about Walt, an elderly man, and his relationship with his new Hmong neighbors, more specifically, Thao. The film follows their lives as they each struggle through their journeys for a better life. The American Dream is a concept that is present throughout the entire movie and lays at the root of many of the character’s motivations. When we are first introduced to Walt at the beginning of the movie, we are shown that he has already achieved the American Dream on the most basic level. He has a nice house, nice car, a wife,
Walt is able to impart his wisdom and experience upon Thao, who uses that to further himself and enter the working world. On the other hand Thao is able to help Walt on his path to happiness by providing him with a healthy relationship that he needed. While Walt and Thao are both working towards the American Dream, each one has a very different goal. They are in different places in their lives and since Walt has already achieved the most basic version, he is able to continue on a new path while Thao still has a long way to go. Having a decent living condition is the most important thing and without it one cannot expect to even try advancing further. The American Dream can be interpreted in many different ways but at the core of it all it is the belief that anyone can get to the position where they are able then achieve a sense of happiness. This belief is what drives Thao to do what he does in the movie and also allows Walt to look at things in a more objective view rather than through prejudice
The gang members choose to take the easy road; they aren’t putting in the effort needed for an honest day’s work and would rather drive around creating destruction and vandalizing things. At the end of the movie we are able to see them be faced with karma as they kill Walt and are subsequently sent to jail. This shows the distinction between the characters motivations those who are essentially good people and are willing to work for their success and those who are willing to break the laws and rules to find easier ways to do things. Michaels also states that the American Dream is based upon the belief that people should work together and help each other and we are able to see that manifest when Walt passes away and leaves his Gran Torino to Thao, giving him a vehicle to further himself towards the American Dream. The American Dream is the driving force behind the character’s actions for a majority of the movie. They are all willing to do what it takes to reach their dreams and many of their decisions are made with that goal in mind. While everyone might have a different end goal, reaching the American Dream is a stepping stone that allows you to diverge on your own unique