Listen up punks! I’m taking you on a joyride, uncovering instances of how youth is presented in my 2007 motion picture; Gran Torino.

Want a ride? I’ll give you a ride…

Gran Torino

Youth as TroubleYouth is represented as troublesome throughout the film by the teenagers in gangs;• The Mexican gang who goad Tao at the start of the film also squabble with the gang of

Hmong whom Tao is related to. The Mexican gang also pulls a gun out first, triggering the Hmong to do the same.

• A group of black teens square up against Sue and Trey. They physically intimidate Trey and threaten Sue.

• Trey is a white teenager but speaks and acts in a more ‘ghetto-style’. He is subsequently held off by a gang member.

• The Hmong gang attack Tao, burning his face with a cigarette…• Hebdige’s theory states that youth is trouble but they have good intentions…• Tao attempts to steal my Gran Torino because of peer pressure by the gang.• When that old women drops her shopping, the three teenagers walking past mocking

her and refuse to help her.• Tao however helps the woman to my surprise!• The shoot-out at the Hmong home and the rape of Sue by the Hmong gang.• And my death at the film’s final act!