Gran Torino : the rejuvenation of an Old Brain

I've never had much time for Clint Eastwood but my mind has been changed by his latest film - Gran Torino. If you've not yet seen it, I'd recommend a night at the flics.

Clint plays a retired Ford worker and Korean vet, Walt Kowalski. He's just lost his wife and he's not happy. Not happy at all. The youth of today have no respect. His sons are arrogant and obnoxious. Gangs roam the streets and try to steal his cherished car - the Gran Torino. And to cap it all, the neighbourhood has been taken over by Asians.

Of course, the social commentary on American suburban life is a study in itself. However, the main focus is the old man and all his growling, grimacing and grinding teeth. He steps back from life and observes all this 'corrupt modernity' from behind a shield of intolerance, racism, closed mindedness and down right anti social behaviour.

Then comes the transition from Old Brain to younger brain. Slowly at first, he softens to his Hmong neighbours and lets himself be invited for a barbeque. It's hard for him but after he comes away saying that maybe he has more in common with this family than his own people. A young Laos girl calls him 'funny' - something he is vaguely insulted by - he has been called many things in his life but never 'funny'. The youngest daughter takes a shine to Wally ("stop calling me that!"). And finally he takes the 20 year old shy boy Thao as a surrogate son and decides to 'man him up', get him a job and encourage him to date a girl who has been making eyes at him.

By the end of the film, Walt has made a big step towards a Young Brain. Does he still have an acid tongue? You bet. But it's now reserved for the enemies of his Hmong neighbours. He has found a family. He trains the next generation. He gets a different cut at the barbers. He buys a fitted suit for the first time in his life. Some one who knew so much about death (during the Korean War) finally finds redemption and learns how to live.

Is anyone consigned to an Old Brain? Is being grumpy - and perhaps even hated - a destiny that people can do little about? This marvelous film reminds us that rejuvenation is open to everyone. Even Walt.

Blinking Botox

Would I have a Botox injection to erase wrinkles from my face? I really don't fancy it. But more and more men do.

Botox - or 'Boytox' in the new lingo - is increasingly popular amongst men. A staggering 300,000 American men have a Botox injection every six weeks according to Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox. Meanwhile, reports in Britain show that many brokers and bankers in the City have also caught the habit. And soon to UK TV screens 'Extreme Male Beauty' showing 'manscaping' cosmetic procedures.

So do you? Would you?

You'd certainly be 'on trend'. We live in a 'feminised society' where 'metrosexual' men are encouraged to be sensitive, intuitive and, yes, vain.

We also live in a world where the ideal of a 'real man' has radically changed. They used to be rugged, have abundant chest hair, give off copious amounts of pheromones (otherwise known as BO) and wear chunky gold medallions. Think Peter Wyngarde (Jason King).


Today's 'perfect man' is increasingly shorn of all body hair (and I mean all!), rolls on layers of deodorant and possibly has an ear stud. Think Brad Pitt or Leonardo diCaprio.

We also live in a very competitive world where the young and the beautiful have a natural advantage. First impressions count - as Malcolm Gladwell pointed out in his superb book, Blink. Our adaptive unconscious is fast and frugal. We judge others in perhaps the first 5 seconds of an encounter. Given this, who wouldn't want to look at their Botox best?

But there is a problem with both Botox and cosmetic surgery. They are superficial. First impressions may be influenced by physical apprearance, but lasting impressions are left by what what you say. And what you say is determined by how you think. Think young thoughts and people will perceive you as being youthful. Think grump thoughts and you will be seen as being aged- whether you have a wrinkle free brow or not.

Having studied this phenomenon for two years, Tim Drake and I decided to write a book on the proven principle that you are as young as you think. Our working title for the book? Botox for the Brain. Indeed, in Holland, our book is published under this same title.

But the point is this. If you are a man who is attracted by a quick Botox fix, you need to answer the following challenge:

What good is fabulous body if all you have is a frumpy brain?

If you want less superficial anti-ageing, and a more authentic answer to your desire to stay young, read our book: "You Can Be As Young As You Think (published by Pearson in June 2009).