The Concept Of Good And Evil In The Film Gran Torino (2008)

Good and Evil are a major part of every human’s life on Earth. The concept of Good and Evil is determined by the ability and quality of deities, nature, common sense and morality. Within all life, Good and Evil will be involved, and this is no exception for the 2008 film, Gran Torino. In the film, Walt Kowalski is a Korean war veteran who lives in a Michigan neighbourhood, populated by foreigners. Walt lives alone in his home and a Hmong teenaged boy tries to steal his Gran Torino for his gang initiation to which he is found red-handed by Walt. Due to his guilt, the teenage boy or “Thao” was forced by his family to help Walt take care of the house and to that, Walt became a father figure to Thao and taught Thao how to be a respectful man.

Good and Evil depicted in the film can be seen in almost every occasion. From racial slurs to gang affiliations, evil is contained throughout the entirety of this film, but goodness overcomes the evil in this film by Walt. Walt on many occasions is seen being racist and offensive to the neighbouring Hmong family and is soon to realise that they are kind and offering to him. Walt is considered a heroic figure to the family and literally saves them from a gang altercation using force and intimidation with a shotgun. The gang went to Thao in an attempt to make the young teenager to do another gang initiation after the first one failed when he got caught trying to steal Walt’s, Gran Torino. Walt, after saving the family from the altercation, is offered an endless amount of food and gratitude by the family to which Walt does not want to accept at first but then does. Walt again saves another member from another gang altercation that happened outside of their neighbourhood street. Sue, the sister of Thao is being harassed by two males and again, Walt uses intimidation of a gun to drive fear into the males and he then takes Sue home safely. Walt shines the good spirit of a hero and is seen as an obvious hero to the Hmong family and the family is grateful for his kind deeds despite him becoming rude and arrogant afterwards.

The reactions of evil in the film is seen throughout the gang altercations including Thao. After finishing school, Thao is returning home by foot until he encounters an opposing gang to his cousin’s gang. They harass Thao down the street until his cousin and his Hmong gang come and defend Thao from the other gang in high hopes that Thao will “pay his debt” to the gang for supposedly rescuing him. Thao is convinced but is hesitant to complete his initiation as it involves the evil act of theft. Thao’s response to evil was mainly due to intimidation or “owing the gang back” after he was saved. Thao was later caught attempting to steal the vehicle and is truly sorry for what he had done to Walt and feels dreadful and guilty. He then helps Walt with his house. Thao reacted to evil because he was scared and later felt guilty for betraying his neighbour.

In Gran Torino, parallels between Christian traditions and representations are scattered throughout the film. The film greatly represents Christian traditions through the film to which Walt doesn’t necessarily respect those traditions whatsoever. Scenes of Walt contain him insulting the priest and using profound language towards him but later in the film he resorts to a Christian tradition, the confession booth. Despite the Christian references, Walt can be considered an almost Jesus Christ figure to Thao and his family. When all seems lost, Walt walks out of his house and threatens the gang to leave and this action saved the Hmong family from potential death. Despite Walt’s racism and stereotyping, he guides Thao into becoming a responsible adult by teaching him methods of speech to other men and allowing Thao a chance to get a job and flourish. Walt is a saviour to his neighbour on multiple occasions and guided Thao into becoming a man. To settle all gang affiliations, Walt sacrifices his life as Jesus Christ did and he got killed in front of a public crowd to get the whole gang household arrested and this leaves the neighbouring family safe from the gang. Walt sacrifices his life for the family, saved the family beforehand and guided Thao into becoming a man just like Jesus’ teachings.

The good in this film always overcomes evil in the end. After Walt becomes a literal hero to the family, he begins to show respect to the family and tough love. Walt manages to sacrifice his own life for the greater good of the family and now the family can live in peace because Walt got those gang members in prison. Walt is a good person and had good intentions, such as protecting the family from any harm. Walt is a great Christian figure and has similarities to Jesus Christ.