Social Issues In Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino

Throughout the history of film making, there has been many great films. One of the greatest films ever made is Clint Eastwood’s film Gran Torino. Gran Torino stars Clint Eastwood as the main character named Walt Kowalski. Walt is a racist, lonely, troubled Korean War veteran, and a retired auto worker from a Ford Motor Company factory. After losing his wife, the only important things he has left in his life are his dog, Daisy, and his prized possession car, a 1972 Ford Gran Torino. Throughout the film, Walt has to put his racist views aside to help his Hmong immigrant neighbors stay safe from the local gang in their crime filled neighborhood in Detroit. At first Walt can not stand his neighbors, especially their teenage son named Thao. His hatred of Thao grows even stronger when Thao his forced by the local gang to try and steal Walt’s Gran Torino, and ends up getting caught. Since he got caught and his family found out, Thao was forced to work for Walt to make up for what he did, this was because of his family’s strong Hmong culture. At first Walt didn't want to have Thao working for him, but as the story develops, however, Walt eventually takes in Thao, and in Walt’s words, teaches him how
From bad social issues like racism and loneliness, to themes of courage and protecting thy neighbor. Social issues are often used in movies by modern filmmakers to show their concern in movies that expose social vices and follies or criticize social institutions (Petrie, and Boggs 22). The racism and loneliness helps shape the story because this is what helps develop Walt Kowalski as character, as being lonely and racist is who he is. The underlying message of courage and protecting thy neighbor is shown through the ending when Walt gave his life to improve the well being for his neighborhood. This helps show the viewer that despite our prejudices, we should always be there to help the ones that need