About A Gran Torino Called Ove

Post 542:

            If you want a taste of the old school ethos, I recommend a novel called A Man Called Ove. If you need to save time, watch Gran Torino. I made a short YouTube video that just went up, extolling the merits of each of these works of fiction.

            They are very similar. Even when the creators attempt to show the meanness or ridiculousness of their protagonists, one can’t help but admire them.

            At least that’s my take.

            I’m partial to tradition. Maybe too much.

            On the other hand, there is something admirable about the laconic, the stoic, the self-made.

            So there.

            These stories are interesting because they place characters frozen in time in the midst of an inevitably changing world. It makes for great drama and juxtaposition.

            It is worth noting the cultural differences between the movie and the book. (Yes, I’m aware that the book is now a movie as well)

            The American Gran Torino ends up violent. Bullets and action and all that. The Scandinavian Ove is more measured and comically dark, brooding but ultimately heartening.

            I recommend both and hope that you get a chance to check each out. Note the similarities and differences, but mostly sit back and enjoy.  

            Short one today. I’m pushing it on all fronts and will do my best to keep content coming on a steady clip.

            Cheers and see you after.