Themes

Identity and belonging

One of the main themes explored in the film Gran Torino (2008) directed by Clint Eastwood is that of identity and the way it helps people fit into certain groups and excludes them from others. 

The film first looks at racial identity and the way in which race influences one’s sense of belonging in a community. Walt lives in a neighborhood that was previously full of white Americans, mostly of Polish descent, like Walt himself. In time, however, Walt’s neighborhood becomes a community for Hmong Americans and Walt becomes an outsider. Walt also refuses to accept the Hmong as Americans, is racist to them, and does not understand why they had to come to his neighborhood. Likely used to receiving hostility from white Americans, Phong, Thao’s grandmother who is also most likely a first-generation immigrant, expresses the same beliefs about Walt and wishes he would leave the neighborhood. A conflict between Walt and the Hmong community thus arises because neither side thinks the other one belongs in that place. 

Walt also lacks a sense of belonging because he is estranged from his family. With the death of his wife, Walt is now left completely alone and unable to find a sense of community in either his family or his neighbors. Though he admits he regrets the emotional distance between himself and his sons and their inability to connect, Walt remains unable to bridge this gap even when he makes a last effort after he finds out about his illness. This happens because his son fails to meet him halfway and quickly dismisses him. Walt only begins to find a sense of belonging when he understands that, though their cultures and background might be different, he has a lot in common with his Hmong neighbors. As he gets closer to Thao and Sue, Walt finds a family in them, though they are not related by a shared cultural identity or by blood.

The theme of belonging is also shown through Thao, who is torn between two identities. He is American, yet because of his background he is not considered “white enough” to fully assimilate and be treated as an American. Inside his Hmong community, he is mocked for not b...