‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Review: Congenial Dramedy Taps Into Filial Piety and the Need to Cherish Those We Love

As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed the cinematic landscapes of the East and West alike, I must confess that “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” left an indelible impression on me. This Thai blockbuster, with its deft blend of humor and heartache, is a testament to the enduring power of family bonds, and it resonated deeply with my own experiences.

The popular Thai movie titled “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” is a heartfelt blend of comedy and drama that combines traditional values like filial duty with greedy ambitions, culminating in a tearjerking conclusion. Filled with family intricacies, it narrates the story of a lazy young adult who abandons his unsuccessful video game career to look after his ailing grandmother.

This movie, gracefully made and leisurely paced, is a crowd favorite and marks the first feature film by Thai director Pat Boonnitipat. It has broken box office records not only in Thailand but also across Southeast Asia. The film, featuring a captivating cast headed by Putthipong “Billkin” Assaratanakul, a popular actor and singer known for his dimples, and Usha “Taew” Seamkhum, who is 78 years old, conveys a universal message about the importance of cherishing those we love while there’s still time.

How many movies with a climactic setting at a cemetery can you name? It’s where we initially encounter the strong-willed, critical grandmother in the story, who happens to be Thai with Chinese heritage. She is overseeing her extended family during the Qingming festivities to pay respects to her parents’ graves. The ancestors are located in a shared burial space, which one of Grandma’s adult children describes metaphorically as a “townhouse” style – essentially, they are stacked on top of each other. Grandma dreams of having a private burial plot for herself, but it’s an expensive luxury that is financially unattainable for most of her family members.

Following a minor mishap that lands Grandma in the hospital, doctors reveal an unexpected diagnosis: Stage 4 cancer. This grim news leaves her children – daughter Sarinrat Thomas (Sew), eldest son Sanya “Duu” Kunakorn (Kiang), and prodigal youngest son Pongsatorn “Phuak” Jongwilas (Soei) – in a heated dispute about what to tell her and how best to assist her.

Meanwhile, Sew’s son M (Assaratanakul), who resides at home aimlessly, steps up to care for his grandmother not out of a sense of gratitude for her role in raising him, but because he speculates she might leave him her house. However, despite his questionable reasons, M and his grandmother manage to coexist harmoniously and even grow to respect each other. He accompanies her on her early-morning trips selling congee, takes her to chemotherapy appointments, and journeys with her to meet estranged relatives. Approximately 70 minutes into their time together, she reluctantly admits, “It’s nice having you around. It’s enjoyable.

In a tranquil yet devoted manner, M observes the positive impact of his selflessness on his overworked single mother, Sew. Meanwhile, he notices how minimal the effort and attention Kiang and Soei offer, despite all the sacrifices their mother has made for them. The filmmakers, Boonnitipat and Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn, introduce another theme here, highlighting the unfair treatment of women in traditional Thai society. For example, the older brother of Grandma refuses to provide her with financial aid, despite her being the primary caregiver for their parents, and him inheriting all the family wealth. Sew poignantly expresses this disparity when she laments, “Sons receive the wealth, daughters inherit illness.

Instead of uniting during Grandma’s health decline, her family fractures into minor disputes about inheritance matters. Fortunately, the screenwriters introduce some clever plot twists before the matriarch passes away. Assaratanakul, much like co-writer Thiptinnakorn who is also of Thai-Chinese origin, gets to demonstrate his vocal talents… in Cantonese.

According to the press materials, Seamkhum, who was previously known for appearing in advertisements, was selected out of over 100 contenders for the main part. This decision proves to be successful, as Seamkhum delivers a spirited performance that steers clear of sentimental undertones.

What seems somewhat disconnected in the extended duration of the movie is a side plot featuring M’s attractive cousin Mui, portrayed by the talented actress and model Tontawan “Tui” Tantivejakul, as a competent nurse who is ideal for every elderly person’s imagination as their dream granddaughter. If her narrative were more seamlessly woven into the main plot, it would have strengthened the overall theme, and resulted in a more cohesive screenplay (and potentially shorter film length).

Although the colorful tech credits don’t really provide a picture of Bangkok as a metropolis, they do capture the old neighborhoods and old ways that will be forever changed with the absence of Grandma’s generation.

2024-11-28 06:16

‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Review: Congenial Dramedy Taps Into Filial Piety and the Need to Cherish Those We Love

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