Thao's family were Hmong immigrants who moved in next door to an old veteran named Walt. Trying to find his own courage, he asked to join his cousin Fong's street-gang. In order to test him Fong asked him to steal his neighbor Walt's Gran Torino, a very old and expensive car, but Walt caught him in the act and chased him away. To make amends Thao offered to help Walt with his daily chores, but since the veteran was perfectly capable of taking care of himself he instead ordered the Hmong boy to assist the other families in the neighborhood. Spending a lot of time together, Walt eventually grew a sense of responsibility for the youngster, and helped him aquire a job as a construction-worker. But after Thao was physically abused by a spiteful Fong and his friends, Walt threatened to kill the