Getting older and/or aging are notions that many find difficult to tolerate and the prejudices that this age group faces are complex. However, despite a negative portrayal of the elderly in the film, they serve a purpose. On the big screen we continue to see many ageist principles, but in reality many of the characters are solid figures who "still have the right stuff", as explained by Professor Gleberzon, PHD. Clint Eastwood dispels the myth of ageism and proves that he still has the right ideas in the film, Gran Torino (2008). The box office smash Gran Torino (2008) exposes and defends against conventions of ageism, although many believe the underlying themes are those of racism, bigotry and redemption. We see an older man, Walt Kowalski, (Eastwood) who has lost his wife and, instead of withdrawing into himself, manages to grow throughout the film thanks to his relationship with a boy. When neighbor Thao enters his life, Walt learns to appreciate life again and counters the theory of communal disengagement as retirement begins to take hold. Throughout the film we see signs of Walt's need for reverence and recognition of the American dream he fought so hard for during the Vietnam War. And for someone like Walt, he has what it takes to honor that. With old age, different expectations are expected from our adolescent youth, including respect and correct behavior. In the opening scene of his wife's funeral, Walt shows his disdain for his grandchildren's disrespectful behavior and the lack of concern on the part of his two sons and daughters-in-law. Many are quick to judge older people as miserable and difficult to deal with, but if we looked at it from Walt's point of view; we might see… half of the paper… Age should not be a barrier to stop someone from doing what they have done in the past, unless they choose to leave it at that. As we have seen through Gran Torino (2008), aging does not extinguish a person's abilities but allows them to flourish in new aspects of life. Works Cited Chivers, S. (2014). The silver screen, yes we still can. Course Kit, 127-133.Cox, D. (2012, 02 28). TheGuardian.Com. Retrieved January 26, 2014, from http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2012/feb/28/films-bad-job-portraying-old-people.Eastwood, C. (Director). (2008). Gran Torino [Film]Gleberzon, W. (2014, 13 and 27 January). Still the right things (in later years) Lecture and Powerpoint. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Redding, A. (2014). An ending worthy of the beginning: the poetics of age and masculinity in Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino. Course kit, 117-126.