Gran Torino Cultural Conflict And Redemption - 1840 Words

Cheryl Evans Carol Hayes Interpersonal Communication 11 June 2017 Gran Torino Analysis- A Reflection on Cultural Conflict and Redemption The 2008 movie â€Å"Gran Torino† starring Clint Eastwood is filled with an abundance of cultural diversity, which is met with much resistance, stereotype, and prejudice by the movies’ main character, Walt Kowalski. Walt’s world is changing; his Detroit neighborhood is decaying, his relationship with his sons is distant, and his Korean War memories continue to destroy his ability to fully enjoy life. Through an unlikely bond with the Hmong children next door, Walt finally receives redemption by coming face-to-face with the same destructive prejudices consuming neighborhood teenage gang members†¦show more content†¦Language is cultural, but it is not always defined entirely by ethnicity or race. The impact of one’s own generation, family histories, society, and values impacts the culture of language. â€Å"Even when people speak the same language, there can be differences in co mmunication style and language use† (Martin Nakayama, 2011, p. 150). One can assume that Walt’s racial, prejudiced, and stereotyped view of the world reflects his generation, his military career and involvement in the Korean War, and his factory environment at the Ford plant. His culture of language, albeit offensive, creates a cultural divide within his own family. Though he and his family speak the same language, their inability to communicate inter-culturally creates dysfunction, as shown in the scene â€Å"Unhappy Birthday.† Walt’s oldest son and his wife bring birthday gifts for Walt they think are thoughtful and will make Walt’s life â€Å"easier.† Entirely out of touch with Walt and his goals and values, the gifts and retirement home suggestions are rejected, as is their presence. â€Å"No one can say we didn’t try† (Eastwood, 2008), but the audience knows better. Had they been more perceptive years ago about Walt†™s communication/language culture, their presence would have been the best giftShow MoreRelatedGran Torino : Cultural Conflict And Redemption1786 Words   |  8 PagesGran Torino Analysis- A Reflection on Cultural Conflict and Redemption The 2008 movie â€Å"Gran Torino† starring Clint Eastwood is filled with an abundance of cultural diversity, which is met with much resistance, stereotype, and prejudice by the movies’ main character, Walt Kowalski. Walt’s world is changing; his wife dies, his Detroit neighborhood is decaying, his relationship with his sons is distant, and his Korean War memories continue to destroy his ability to fully enjoy life. ThroughRead MoreFilm Review : Gran Torino Film Gran Verona 1794 Words   |  8 PagesFor Milestone Two project, I have chosen the film Gran Torino starring Clint Eastwood to analyze, this film is filled with a profusion of cultural diversity, which is met with contention, stereotypical actions, and prejudice by the main character, Walt Kowalski. This film begins in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan where the grumpy widower Walt Kowalski is a Retired auto worker and Korean War veteran full of prejudice despising the many Asian, Latino and blac k families in his neighborhood. Walt’s whole