Lessons from Gran Torino

We recently watched Gran Tornio (the movie). I know a few people who say it's an extremely bad movie to watch.... I disagree. I actually thought it was really good.... in fact we watched it as a family - yes, that means my 15, 9, and 6 yr. old watched it with the hubby and I. Please let me explain my reasoning.

 Let me start by saying that the movie has a whole lot of bad language, which I usually don't care for. But that's how much of the world today is, and while I certainly think they could have left out a lot of the profanity, it actually works in this movie in its context. 

I was struck by the fact that the Mr. Walt Kowalski's own kids and grand kids were only interested in what they could get from him. They thought he was a burden.... never truly loving him. (I saw that happen In my Grandpa's life.... everyone wanted a piece of him, but few truly cared about him.) The older I get, the more I realize that more and more families and people in today's world are like that. Everyone wants what they can get for themselves, not caring about the other person. It's sad, but it's true.

I love that Mr. Walt Kowalski learned to love his neighbors, they were his family. They were who he cared for, so much so, that he sacrificed his life to save them. And that's what struck me most in this movie, is that Mr. Walt Kowalski, would sacrifice his own life to save the two people he most loved. That's what true family is about.... putting each other first. There is beauty in selflessness.   

I also liked how  Mr. Walt Kowalski put things in order.... before  he died. While I'm not catholic, I do believe 1 John 1:9, which says;  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Overall, I think the movie is a real life lesson in racism, overcoming hate, and selfishness, to hope, generosity, and love. In the end, Mr. Walt Kowalski changed for the better, and gave someone hope in a world filled with sin.

I like this quote from Sheila Gorge about it:

The Gran Torino Movie is "such an interesting portrayal of the problems in many immigrant communities with gangs, the lack of male role models, and the lack of hope. If we were to understand these things, I think we could do more to help. It would move us to empathy, as it moved Clint Eastwood’s character. But more importantly, it shows a real-life evolution of someone from a gutter mentality to a selfless mentality, because God touched them."

and

 "I would rather watch a movie with some swearing that presents a biblical worldview that inspires and causes one’s heart to sing than a “clean” movie that does not present a biblical worldview."

For more insights on Profanity vs. Biblical World View in Movies, read Sheila's blog here.