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For those have seen the movie, (if you havent, this thread is not for you). For those who have, I am curious what you thought, If you are one of those on here that cannot have a discussion about race with out screaming "hate", "bigot" and calling others A "racist", (you know who you are), dont bother posting. I want to hear the sincere opinions of those who saw this movie, on both sides. I will just say that as someone who loved Eastwood for the things that got him where he is, Dirty Harry, Josey Wales all the old westerns, I had given up on him because I could not stand to see him playing the pathetic, loser, antihero, garbage. I figured this was more of the same. I was wrong, but will wait for others to post, so as to not steer the thread according to responses to my opinions. Then I will come back and set it straight. ( Mods, this does not belong in the movie forum it is a thread about race relations)
I thought it was a phenomenal movie. The fact that Eastwood was not a soft politically correct writer is the ONLY reason this movie was so good. It is also a reminder of the fact that racism knows no boundaries. The Asian grandmother hated Eastwood as badly as he hated her.
The other cool part was how true it is that stereotypes exist for a reason. People don't like to be stereotyped, neither do I, but they come about because there are those members of different races that not only exhibit a stereotypical behavior, but are rather proud of it.
I thought it was a phenomenal movie. The fact that Eastwood was not a soft politically correct writer is the ONLY reason this movie was so good. It is also a reminder of the fact that racism knows no boundaries. The Asian grandmother hated Eastwood as badly as he hated her.
The other cool part was how true it is that stereotypes exist for a reason. People don't like to be stereotyped, neither do I, but they come about because there are those members of different races that not only exhibit a stereotypical behavior, but are rather proud of it.
As one of the first owners of a Gran Torino Sport I was really excited to see how Eastwood dealt with that subject. I agree with everything you said and have to say that back then when I bought that car I was nearly as bad about racism as Eastwood. Today I have seen the light without having to be forced to it like he was. I think he played that part at least as well as he has all the others about old men. Of course, he has been my favorite ever since his days on television when they "headed them up and moved them out. "Rawhide" was the beginning for him as tough, cowboy loner and he took that one a long way.
Stereotypes are such an important of human behavior and you are very right about why they continue to exist.
The way it portrayed his coming around was so true. He discovered a personal connection. They stopped being a steriotype and became a family. One of the best scenes is when he's invited to dinner when the family is there. Shocks him that they are more of a family than his own.
I think this is the way that people really do learn to see through blinders. There is no sudden revelation that this race or group is really okay, but that this person is real and hurting or enjoyable and I see a person. Thats the first crack. It was especially important that he was NOT portrayed as anything but an ordinary man who was a racist. And that the grandmother didnt think any more of him than he did of her. No super heros or villens here because in real life that isn't how things are.
The way it portrayed his coming around was so true. He discovered a personal connection. They stopped being a steriotype and became a family. One of the best scenes is when he's invited to dinner when the family is there. Shocks him that they are more of a family than his own.
I think this is the way that people really do learn to see through blinders. There is no sudden revelation that this race or group is really okay, but that this person is real and hurting or enjoyable and I see a person. Thats the first crack. It was especially important that he was NOT portrayed as anything but an ordinary man who was a racist. And that the grandmother didnt think any more of him than he did of her. No super heros or villens here because in real life that isn't how things are.
I'm just going to say 'ditto' since you said everything I was going to say.
Gran Torino was an outstanding film on so many levels, but my favorite message that I took from it was to have respect for your elders. This country has unfortunately become somewhat disrespectful of its senior population (I'm 38). And even at 78, Clint Eastwood is still one of baddest dudes out there.
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I liked it because it used really old racial slurs. you just don't hear em like that anymore.
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( Mods, this does not belong in the movie forum it is a thread about race relations)
