I know what some of you must be thinking...What parallels? I had the same thought at first. After I read the post I couldn't believe how Will was able to bring it all together...See what you think.
Pat Morita, magnificent as the wise and patient Asian Mr. Miyagi, carefully taught teenager Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) how to defend himself in the classic 1980's drama, "The Karate Kid". Clint Eastwood, as the wise and grizzled Caucasian Walt Kowalski living in Detroit, Michigan, coaxed and taught Thao Vang Lor to defend himself and his family in 2008's "Gran Torino". Both Hollywood productions are highly beloved American films - and both of them contain strong story parallel connections.
In 1984, the martial arts - particularly Japanese Karate and Chinese Kung-Fu - were showing up everywhere. The ancient study of fighting with merely the empty hand or a cool weapon like nunchaku was becoming hugely popular in America. Small, low budget movies like "Bloodsport" with Jean-Claude Van Damme and tons of others sought to capitalize on the craze and were successful. But, arguably, it wasn't until the release of John G. Avildsen's box office hit "The Karate Kid" which burst upon the scene, that the martial arts phenomenon truly became mainstream - at least for Hollywood pop culture purposes. Starring Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, a displaced teen from NJ, the story had elements of the struggling athlete or warrior - ala "Rocky" which was also directed by Avildsen - who must prepare for contest or combat to thwart an opposing force.
Of course, the main core spirit of "The Karate Kid", along with "Rocky" or the Eastwood directed "Gran Torino", is not the showcasing of a martial art, nor embracing western boxing, using weapons, nor promotion of any kind of structured fighting art, formula or tactic. The narrative base of these inspiring tales is summoning the courage, conviction and preparation to fight for oneself, to defeat the enemy - to ultimately win.
In the lonely, and both widowed characters of Miyagi (Morita) and Kowalski (Eastwood), we see men who've been viciously pummeled by life's many withering challenges. Kowalski has been called an Archie Bunker character or more appropriately, a 'Dirty Harry' retired kind of guy - someone who let life's bitter pill turn them into hateful racists or discriminatory jerks. While it's true Clint Eastwood's portrayal of Walt Kowalski comes across as just that - perhaps the most extreme and raw performance of Eastwood's entire career - Mr. Miyagi isn't exactly warmly inviting nor welcoming to Daniel at first blush. The Japanese American's combat time fighting in WWII warfare has worn him out as well, and that fighting and the brutal discrimination he suffered has taken its toll on his patience and personality. That both men have lost wives speaks of another parallel - the old, once happily partnered man now facing a changed world and the prospect of living the rest of his life alone - the solo journeyman on his last quest.
Here are some of the two film's powerful narrative parallels:
Both men are senior citizen 'mentors' and both are loners - living alone in big houses.
Both men love old, classic cars & maintain the automobiles on their property.
Both men use the lure of the classic car to help/teach and motivate the young man.
Both old men are war veterans.
Both old men are widowers and seem a bit more than lost without their wives.
Miyagi is an Asian man, while Eastwood's character is Caucasian - a flip of character ethnicity.
Daniel LaRusso is Caucasian, Thao Vang Lor is Asian Hmong American - a flip of character ethnicity.
Both young males are in trouble because of gangs. Both gangs use violence and bullying to target them.
Both movies have the young men get advice, support, strategy and tactics to deal with the bad guys.
Both movies see the reluctant old veteran become both mentor and protector of the young man.
Eastwood's screenwriters, whether intentional or not - and in no way am I saying it was intentional - appear to have modeled "Gran Torino", at least in a large, general thematic way after "The Karate Kid". The ethnic origin of the lead roles have been neatly flipped, so that in Kowalski's case, it's a white guy helping an Asian kid, the reverse of the Asian guy helping the white kid in Avildsen's flick. Themes of racism - in "The Karate Kid"'s case what Miyagi suffered greatly over the years as a Japanese American, the reverse is for Kowalski, as one who may dish out hate or has dished it out - an intractable kind of curmudgeon, whose inflexibility, intolerance or plain laziness has prevented him for knowing and associating with many others outside his racial class or caste...
Continue reading here...
Will wrote the original script for the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode that became Homeward--as well as the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine segment Prophet Motive. He also writes articles on the Yahoo! Contributor Network--once called Associated Content. His stuff covers a wide range of topics. Check 'em out!!
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