“Life and death, what the hell do you know about life and death? Death is bittersweet, sort of bitter in its’ pain and sweet in its’ salvation. That’s all that you know about life and death and it’s pathetic.”
I’ve heard these words at the beginning of the music video for “Louder” by Dollar Llama for years. Well, Dollar Llama is a Portuguese band that I saw open for the American stoner band Red Fang many years ago, and fell in love with their music ever since. Yet, I did not know that the quote, was from the movie Gran Torino, spoken by Walt, played by Clint Eastwood, to a priest who attempts to get closer to him (a promise said priest had made to Walt’s wife before she died).
I recommend you listen to the song, and the album it comes from: Juggernaut. And, of course, watch the movie.
Gran Torino is about an aging former soldier and Ford employee who lives in a neighbourhood that is now populated by Hmong immigrants. The Hmong, as Sue (the first neighbour to reach out to Walt in his isolation) explains, were people who fought alongside the Americans during the Vietnam War and, due to persecution, were forced to immigrate to the USA. He is an isolated man surrounded by people who are, themselves isolated.
And so it is Walt, now alone, without his wife (who dies before the movie begins), has to adjust to a new reality and ends up becoming friendly to people, he would once reject due to prejudice. And in becoming closer to his neighbours, he befriends and helps Sue’s younger brother Thou find a job a purpose in a life where he is clearly lost.
It’s a straight story, endearing and about overcoming prejudice to realize that there is more around than you first realized as Walt, finds a new purpose in life and peace with God (something his wife had wished for).
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário