Kristen Olsen
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7/9/13
Film and Culture 1070
Mid-Term Analysis
Gran Torino Analysis
Gran Torino is an action drama produced and directed by the legendary Clint
Eastwood who plays the major role of a retired Korean War veteran marred by the
anguish of losing his wife. He is depicted as a very embittered character owing to the
changes brought about by the loss of his wife. What makes it even worse for Kowalski is
the fact that his once treasured white neighborhood has now changed so much and the
majority of the people living there are now Asians. This change creates a very
uncomfortable scenario for Kowalski especially with the next door Hmong family.
Depressed by the death of his wife, Kowalski lives with his cherished Labrador which has
replaced his otherwise strained relationship with his two sons. Since he has no family left,
his dearest possession is his Gran Torino, Ford.
This film is set in a crime prone high class estate in Michigan where a gang of
teenagers do everything to woo a Hmong teenager named Thao into crime. They
forcefully set him out to steal the Gran Torino; unfortunately, Kowalski gets him in the
action and almost shoots him. Kowalski looks at his neighborless as immigrants who
stink and he constantly takes issue with them over almost everything. This is the major
theme in this entire film-racial discrimination. In the second scene of the film when
Kowalski is seated on his porch drinking his cooler beer, he looks at the neighbor who is
also seated on the veranda and they exchange insults.
The Asian is heard asking Kowalski what he is still doing in the neighborhood when
all other “asses” left. The theme of racial segregation is further seen when Kowalski takes
Thao to the barbershop with the intention of teaching him how to master the art of racial
insult normally a friendly exchange between the older classes in the society. It is until
Thao tries it, that the barber hits up and from the oblivion produces a shotgun. This
clearly sends the idea that ethnic comedy and friendly exchange of insults is only
conducted by the white elders and not any Tom, Dick or Harry.
This film has employed a very excellent use of the mise en scene, at least to the
extent that telling this particular story is concerned. In the church service during the
sending-off service of Kowalski’s wife, there is a very excellent use of a high angle shot
that isolates Kowalski from the rest of the congregation. This shot places him in a
situation where he seems over burdened by the trouble of losing his wife. The priest has
also been framed in such a way that isolates him using a low angle medium shot that
shows his authority in consoling the bereaved. At one point in time in the same scene,
there is a close up shot of Kowalski and his family that effectively bring out the
bereavement in their eyes. This is a followed by an extreme close up shot of Kowalski
who we later on come to learn that he was really struggling listening to the supercilious
sermon of a young priest owing to the fact that he is only patient for the sake of his wife.
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The narrative of this film takes a very linear and chronological style. There is a
systematic flow of events in the entire film beginning from the funeral service scene in
the opening scene, to the attempted burglary by Thao, through to the cordial relationship
created between Kowalski and the Hmong and finally to the climax where Kowalski is
shot by the gang. There is very minimal use of flashback mainly aimed at showing the
good olden days when Kowalski treasured living in his neighborhood. Essentially, the
failure to use many flashbacks has given this film a linear story line that is easy to follow
throughout the film thereby making it easy for the audience to understand.
There has also been a very keen disposition of the cinematographic technique used in
this film. There is a lot of low key lighting perhaps to create mood. This is especially used
in the scenes where Kowalski is the main focus. For instance, when he is visited by the
priest in his house, there is systematic use of lighting; Kowalski is half illuminated
whereas the priest is fully illuminated. This in my opinion is used to show the extent to
which Kowalski is depressed whereas the priest depicts hope at the end of the tunnel.
There is also low key lighting when Thao sneaks into the garage to steal the Gran Torino:
this gives the entire scene authenticity and realism as one can only agree that the source
of lighting was indeed key in giving the entire scene authenticity.
Most notably for me in this entire film is the scene where Kowalski was shot dead by
the gang. There was a variety of shots mixed up together to create a very realistic look.
There is a particular gun shot that goes through his body before he falls dead, there is
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detail in this shot when he falls helplessly and immediately there is a very high angle pan
that shows Kowalski lying helplessly on the ground. This has further been enhanced with
the use of a very slow soundtrack that creates a somber mood in the scene.
It should be noted that this film takes a rather slow pace; perhaps this is necessitated
by the fact that the motivation of the entire film is perhaps the “second life” of a retired
veteran soldier. This film is purely cantered on the life of Kowalski and in my opinion it
is the major factor that determined the pace of the film. The film also employs linear
editing that is strictly followed throughout the film; the story is told in a simplistic way
that has been enhanced by linear editing. However, there are those particular scenes
where the director employed jump cuts and action cut editing in order to enhance the
story.
For instance, in the scene where Thao helps Kowalski in fixing the roof, there is a
very smooth transition of shots that gives continuity of action. When Kowalski saves the
Hmong from the gang, there is continuity editing as depicted in the scene when the
Hmong’s offer him gifts. This kind of editing has greatly helped in giving the entire film a
beautiful look. There is a rather careful use of jump cut editing, this has been employed in
the scenes where the gang attack for instance when they shoot at the Hmong house.
I must admit that the locations used in this film give it a very ostensible look; the
houses used depict a very high class neighborhood. I was particularly awed by
Kowalski’s garage
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which is a typical deserted garage, there is littering of old metals where there stands the
vintage Gran Torino which is also covered in a rather old white canvas. The Hmong
house is another interesting house particularly during the birthday party. There was a
particular shot of the food on the table that shows a typical Asian lifestyle. There is also
this shot when Thao is confronted by the gang in an alley with wire mesh and grown
grass that gives this scene a ghetto look. Generally speaking, the art direction in this film
to say the least is super authentic as it is unique to the storyline.
Clint Eastwood is known for high adrenaline films that somewhat depict the day to
day expectation and happenings in the society as seen in his earlier movies like Million
Dollar Baby. In this particular film, he challenges the declining role of American men as
well as questions the role of religion in bringing up an upright society. As it is his style,
there is a late-career preoccupation well crafted into a story that has engaged a rather
youthful cast enhanced by naturalistic acting in the characters especially the non
professional cast of the Hmong family.
In my opinion, Gran Torino is a film that highlights a rather not familiar issue owing
to the fact that its central focus is the old character in the name of Kowalski who seems to
be running the show. Its tempo makes it a boring film as a well. Clint Eastwood does a lot
to make this film an interesting through his fluid and natural acting so do the other
characters.
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It is a film that will stand the test of time owing to the fact that racial segregation and
ethnic issues are worldwide dilemmas that should be addressed in a way that will be
pleasing or appealing to individuals, herein this film. In a nutshell, Gran Torino is an
average film with an average script thanks to a new comer in the scripting business. In
my Opinion, the film lacks the “it” factor as it is not a very brilliant idea; it is a
captivating one nonetheless.