Note: This example paper is longer than yours is required to be, but it should give you a good idea of what I am looking for from an "A-level" paper.

Gran Torino: Peace is the Answer

The United States of America is supposed to be a nation that practices equality. So, why does segregation takes place if we are considered the “melting pot” of the world? I believe the answer to that question is due to the fact many people are still prejudiced, which causes demolition of a community. Michigan is one of the most segregated states in America. I live in the downriver region of Detroit and the separation among different races and ethnicities is very evident in the surrounding areas. Every time, I walk into one of “their” stores, they do not take their eyes off the surveillance cameras because they have the perception that all black people steal. For example, in the cities of River Rouge and Ecorse, there are two parts: the “black side” and the “white side”. Whenever I cross the streets onto the “white side,” I know people of the other race are judging me because of stereotypes that are derived from them being prejudices.

Nick Schenk (main writer) wrote the Gran Torino to deal with some of these issues. This film is based on Schenk’s knowledge about the Hmong people in his state of Minnesota. Schenk learned that Hmong, people of Asian descent, supported the beliefs that the United States allies had in Vietnam War, but they still ended up in refugee camps. Schenk was trying to figure out a way to put his movie together. The result of his idea was the film Gran Torino which was released in 2008, and was directed and produced by the main character of the movie, Clint Eastwood. Even though the movie is based on a Minnesotan city, the movie was filmed in Michigan because the main character of the movie is a retired automotive worker and Detroit currently has one of the greatest populations of Hmong people.

In the movie, Clint Eastwood portrays issues of America that are combinations of racism, discrimination, prejudice, and gang violence. He shows the previously stated matters can ruin a community’s well being. Through the use of formal elements, characterization, concern and emotional appeal the film, Gran Torino, argues that destruction and being prejudiced in a racially mixed neighborhood can ruin the community but it can be restored once there is peace and amalgamation among cultures.

Walt Kowalski, the main character of Gran Torino, is a Korean War Veteran and a retired worker for Ford Motor Company. As immigration progressed with time, the neighborhoods of Highland Park, Michigan drastically changed for the worset. The area, in which Walt lived in, was once predominantly populated by white working class families but, now, it has been taken over by Asian immigrants who infested the neighborhoods with gang violence. Recently, the Lor family moved in the house next door to Walt. The Korean War has led Walt to be prejudiced towards his neighbors. Spider, a relative to the Lor family, and his Asian gang destroy the community through their violent acts. Spider forced Thao to steal Walt’s 1972 Gran Torino, which ultimately created a bond between the Lor family and Walt. Walt really did not want to befriend his neighbors but they came together to obtain peace for the community.

Clint Eastwood uses formal elements, such as music and visual images, very well in this movie. The music in various scenes is very phenomenal because he composed the music himself and it also set the moods for the many scenes. For example, as the movie starts and we see the name of the production company, we hear music. The music that is playing has a subtle sad slow sound giving the impression that pain is being felt. Another example of music is the scene where Walt and the priest talk about life and death. The jazz like music comes on when the conversation gets really interesting and that gains attention. The uses of visual images are very evident throughout the movie. The visual images include the American flag and his old school car, a 1972 Ford Gran Torino. The American flag is displayed a lot. Walt has the American flag propped outside of his house. It is on the beer he drinks. Many American flags are in the bar that he hangs out with friends. Why does the American flag appear so much in the movie? It represents Walt’s love for America and how things were before Asians immigrated into his neighborhood.  The Gran Torino is not only the title of this movie; it is Walt’s most prized possession; he made it himself. His Gran Torino was more than just a car; it is a part of him. His car was all he had and it began to mean more to him once his wife passed. He took pride in his Americanized car; he took pride in his nation. Just like the American flag, his car represented pleasant life, a life that was more appealing to his liking.

The use of characterization also helps Eastwood makes his argument. The creditability of the character is created by characterization, which is a method to reveal a character’s appearance, actions, and thoughts. The movie opens up with Walt’s wife’s funeral, which gives us the impression that he is grieving. We hear a conversation between Walt’s sons at the funeral and learn that Walt is easily disappointed. When Walt talks about the life and death, it seems very sincere and true. Walt knows more about death than life. He killed teens with shovels and he will remember that until the day he dies; he has to live with what he has done. The Korean War was such a bad experience that it caused him to dislike all Asian people. The conversation between the priest and Walt gives a very good insight on how the Korean War has shaped Walt’s life. The effect of his the Korean War is the reason why he is such a prejudiced angry widower. The way Walt’s character is portrayed helps the audience to understand that prejudice is often based on fear and insecurities rather than hate.

After the opening scene, there are many more uses of characterization to portray other characters of the film, such as Sue, Thao, and other members of the Lor Family. In Highland Park’s neighborhoods, there are gangs that consist of many different races. The leader of the Asian gang is the Lor family’s cousin, Spider. Spider tries to convince his cousin, Thao, to join his gang. Thao was force to steal the car but had an unsuccessful attempt and was caught by Walt. Thao did not want to be part of the gang but his cousin bullied him into the initiation process, which was stealing Walt’s car. Thao’s refusal of joining the gain is an example of characterization because it shows that he is a good kid and that not all Asians are bad, like Walt thought. Spider and his gang came back for Thao and a fight started on Walt’s grass. Walt came outside with a gun and told the gang to get off his lawn. Walt’s action of confronting the gang shows his bravery and power. Walt saves Thao from an altercation but Walt denies it by saying he was angered by them being on his grass.

The next day, the Lor family and their relatives were placing gifts and food on his porch because for saving Thao’s life. They also view him as a hero, which is an example of characterization, for, temporarily, getting rid of the gang, allowing some peace. At that point, characterization helps us see that Walt is starting to view the Lor family differently, but in a positive way. One day a Sue, Thao’s sister, walks the neighborhood with her male friend and she is confronted by a group of African American boys that disrespectfully confront her. Sue stands up for herself against the group of boys as her male friend does nothing. That exemplifies how Sue is a strong young woman who will always voice her opinion. The young men do like her tone of voice and they begin to push her around. Then, Walt comes along and saves her from the situation. At that point, we as the viewers, can predict that the Lor family and Walt will make peace.

As the movie progressed, we notice that Walt is beginning to care about the Lor family, Sue and Thao in particular. Before Walt gained a relationship with his neighbors, he was concerned about the changes in the community because he was prejudiced against all Asians. But now, he is concerned about the neighborhood because the neighborhood has become so dangerous. He fears the life of Sue and Thao, saying that “They will never have peace in the world because of gangs.”

The ending of the movie is full of emotional appeal. One day as Thao was coming home from work, he was approached by his cousin and his gang. They jumped Thao leaving bruises and stole some of his work equipment. For a few days, Thao was avoiding Walt because he knew he would be upset about the situation. Once Walt sees Thao, he is immediately filled with rage. Walt goes after Spider and his gang even though Thao did not want him to. Walt finds out where the gang lives and takes the matter into his own hands. He beats up one of the guys and tells him to leave Thao and his family alone. Spider and his gang did not come into the neighborhood for a while but one day they come and attack Thao’s house. They shoot up the house and Thao gets shot in his neck. They abduct Sue, then beat and rape her. Walt becomes very angry about the situation that has just passed. Walt says that Thao and Sue will never find peace in the world because of Spider’s gang. Thao is seeking vengeance and he goes to Walt for help. Thao is in a rush to get revenge and Walt tells him that they have to stay calm because if they do not mistakes will be made. Walt shows Thao some of his war weapons then locks Thao in the basement. Thao is infuriated because he wants to kill spider and his gang for harming his family. But, Walt tells Thao that killing someone is a heavy burden and he does not him having that horrible feeling on his soul, that’s why he went alone to face Spider and his gang.

When Walt approaches Spider and his gang the guys immediately pull out their weapons and point them towards Walt. All the other Asians in the neighborhood watch from their windows. Walt asks them for a lighter so he could smoke but they did not give him one. So, Walt reaches into his pocket to check for light and the gang thought he was reaching for a weapon so they shot him to death. The police officer tells Thao and Sue that Walt was killed. When the officer says Walt did not have any weapons, we, as the viewers, know that he was trying to responsibly to fix the community, instead of using acts of violence a solution to the problem. Unification was created by Walt’s nonviolent action and the Asian people agreeing to be witnesses of Spider and his gang violent acts. The bond that was created restored the peace in the neighborhood because Spider and his gang are being sent to prison.

Gran Torino is a great movie.It is very effective for many reasons, which makes it a great representation of realism.It displays problems in Detroit that is also occurring in our nation, as well as other parts of the world, such as acts of being prejudice and gang violence. Throughout the film, we see how the previously stated issues can affect communities. Even though Walt was killed, the peace and well-being of the neighborhood was restored because he meets a family that changed the how he perceived Asians and it helped him to be more understanding of other cultures. We also see the effect of solutions: Violence does not solve problems; it only makes them worse and peace is the answer. Personally, I know that trying to obtain peace, instead of using acts of violence will help resolve a racial dispute. So, I agree with the argument made in the movie. In order to have a safe living environment, cultural barriers must be broken to allow different races and ethnicities to unite and fix problems within the community. Let’s look at the “big picture” Once we, as Americans, restore peace among our own nation, we can do the same for the world!