MOVIE PROJECT Essay

MOVIE PROJECT Essay MOVIE PROJECT Essay MOVIE PROJECT The movie that I chose was Gran Torino. This movie is about a man named Walt Kowalski. The world is changing fast around him and he doesn't know how to adapt. His once all-white neighborhood is now mostly Southeast Asian and he has a Hmong family living next door. He doesn't get along with his sons and is out of touch with his grandchildren, all of whom seem more interested in getting his house than anything else. His pride and joy; however, is his 1972 Gran Torino. When the Hmong teenager who lives next door, Thao, is challenged by his cousin and other local gang members to steal it, Walt almost shoots him. Gradually, however, he realizes he has more in common with his neighbors than his own family and becomes something of a neighborhood hero when he prevents the gangbangers from forcing Thao into their car. He gradually takes Thao under his wing, teaching him a few things about life and helps getting him a job. Walt's intervention has a price, however, when the gang s hoots up Thao's house and attack his sister Sue. For Walt, it's time to take action, though not in a way you would expect. Walt is a veteran of 2 or 3 tours in Korea and just recently lost his wife. Walt is a very original man his motto is you stay off my lawn and leave my things alone and I will do the same. Walt is what I would call a very straight forward he says what is on his mind and he means it too. When in danger, it’s natural to feel afraid. This fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to prepare to defend against the danger or to avoid it. This â€Å"fight-or-flight† response is a healthy reaction meant to protect a person from harm. But in post-traumatic stress disorder, this reaction is changed or damaged. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger. There are many symptoms of PTSD one including re-experiencing symptoms which includes flashbacks and bad dreams. Another symptom is feeling stro ng depression or guilt that you survived and the others didn't. Walt shows survivor guilt, and a hate of all enemies, isolation and even a death wish which are all symptoms of PTSD. He showed survivor guilt when he earned a Silver Star Medal as the survivor of an Infantry attack on an enemy strong point in the Korean War. Thao said that he was ready to kill the gangbangers and Walt tells him that it is terrible to kill so many people let alone getting a medal for it. He shows a hate of all enemies when he hates all "gooks" with an obsessive passion which even extended to Asians which were our allies in Vietnam. He was quick to grab his M-1 Garand Rifle or 45 Pistol for any intrusion into his â€Å"space† or yard. Even in the face of overwhelming violent adversity. He shows isolation when he