Posted on 01/11/2009 8:39:37 AM PST by GonzoII
During the post-Vatican II push for more "relevant" religion classes, students in my high school "Theology of the Film" course trooped off to see Dirty Harry -- the 1971 drama starring Clint Eastwood as the police lieutenant who violates the law, including the torture of suspects, to protect San Franciscans from a wily serial killer.
Afterward, we held the requisite classroom debate on whether Harry was justified in taking the law into his own hands. Most of us teenagers didn't quite understand the point of the discussion -- Harry did what he had to do, right? But our teacher, a Dominican nun, appeared to be quite torn up.
The memory of that futile classroom exercise surfaced again while I watched Gran Torino, the compelling new film that showcases Eastwood's unique gifts as an actor and director.
Eastwood has vowed that his staring role in Gran Torino will be his final onscreen performance. Thus, filmgoers who savor his austere vision of the autonomous individual establishing his own code of morality may find themselves approaching Dirty Harry and Gran Torino as ideal bookends for his cinematic career. Indeed, as Eastwood surely intended, Dirty Harry's moral dilemma is unexpectedly and memorably resolved in Gran Torino, the tale of Walt Kowalski, a retired autoworker confronting a violent gang and his own morality.
Taken together, the two films provide a compelling exploration of the impact of time and experience on moral action, both individually and collectively.
This is a subject that deeply interests Catholics. Revelation provides us with the essential truths we need to properly navigate the world. Yet our interpretation of these truths is not fixed. The pilgrimage progresses and awareness deepens, opening up new vistas and opportunities for transcendence.
(Excerpt) Read more at insidecatholic.com ...
I recommend that you go see it, especially if you have been a fan of Clint Eastwood films over the years. Many have criticized his supporting cast and their acting skills but I think the critics have it all wrong. The actors are not “acting” but showing real human emotions from the highs to lows, including outright bigotry on both sides of the story. The critics are projecting their own discomfort in observing the people react in the way people really do. See the film as a study of the best and worst in humans.
His ‘Clyde’ movies were pretty entertaining also..
Especially the ‘aging’ of the “BLACK WIDOWS” motorcycle gang.
**** .... find themselves approaching Dirty Harry and Gran Torino as ideal bookends for his cinematic career.****
I hardly think so. More appropriate to put ‘For A Few Dollars More” or “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” over on that left side if you ask me.
Anybody remember Rowdy Yates?
I can’t say enough how great Gran Tornio was...”Walt” (Clint) would be in prison today based on what he said he did in the Korean War. Just go see it.
Oh you big pooper..go see it today....I am “series” do not wait for DVD.
Thank you. What age do you think is appropriate to see this film? Sometimes I take my nephew, who's 15.
You've got yourself a great tagline there.
Not YET anyway.
If the time comes to toss some tea there better be enough folks at the party or forget it.
I would say that this is not unlike what Christ commanded. She did not return the favor, and offered them the "other cheek" by not doing so. If they chose to continue berating her, that would've been their prerogative, but she did not escalate matters. We are not obliged to continue to sit there and receive insults, merely we must not respond in kind. Further, if answering their charges requires speaking the truth, how is that any different than Christ's actions in response to His questioning?
There is a time to let something go and a time to stand up for what is right even if it means that one takes the arrows. The former Chair is presently asking God to show her what she needs to learn from interaction with people who have no compunction of behaving in an unbusiness like, highschoolish manner.
Letting it go or standing up and taking the arrows are both turning the other cheek. A slap is a mere insult - when an insult is coupled with an injustice, you certainly may attempt to rectify that injustice with proper means.
Thank you!
I suggest reading Emmet Fox's “The Sermon on the Mount”.
In short, it has nothing whatsoever to do with not defending yourself if physically attacked. It has to do with spiritually conquering the inclination for hatred and revenge.
Clint was just 'one of us' and well loved. I had many occasions of interaction with him over the years. But one was a favorite: "The day I faced down Dirty Harry."
My part-time job was as bus driver/maintenance supervisor to a couple private schools in the area. One was the school in the Valley that Mr. Eastward's son, Kyle, attended.
One morning, Kyle, a freckled faced 5th grader at the time, and a couple of his friends, kept writing on the windows (fogged up.) This leaves windows needing to be washed. (Kyle was a really good kid who seemingly had no idea who "Clint Eastward" was to the world. He was just 'dad'.)
After two warnings, they continued to write on the windows so when we got the school, I kept them on the bus and sent word the headmaster that they would be delayed a bit. Then I made them wash all the windows on the bus.
When I went back for the afternoon run, I spotted Eastward's car there and, at the same time, got a message from the headmaster that "Mr. Eastward would like to speak with you." The thought flitted across my mind: "Oh, right! It was Eastward's kid that I made wash the windows. Oh boy..." I went, I admit a bit nervous, to the headmaster's office.
Face to face with 'Dirty Harry' - who really does stands well over 6' tall - I braced for I knew not what. He held up his hand, finger pointed at me, and said: "M..., I have just one thing to say to you."
(gulp) "Yes?" "
I really appreciate your treating Kyle as any other student. If he does it again, make him wash the whole damn bus." And then he flashed that famous, what I call, "Clint Glint."
Made my day. ;o)
Thanks for sharing that, great!
Trivia, but Dirty Harry was an Inspector, not a Lieutenant
It just took #1 at the box office, Eastwood best BO performance:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090111/media_nm/us_boxoffice;_ylt=Anpol5wWfKpsNBJXC3Sc_2FxFb8C
I saw it yesterday. It’s perhaps not flawless, but I thought it was excellent, a quintessential American movie.
Someone in an earlier thread called it a “modern Western.” I agree. In fact, there a number of similarities with Josey Wales.
And when he beats up the punk, it’s totally believable, even though he’s 78. During the last Cannes Festival, he said that if Michael Moore ever came to his door like it did to Charlton Heston, he’d kill him. And I believe it.
I want to see it. LOL.
Now I know we do have Asian gangs but I'd wager a bet that they are vastly out numbered by Mexican and black gangs. But, it's PC to vilify Asians.
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