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How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024) by Pat Boonnitipat: A Heartwarming Journey of Greed, Family, and Forgiveness

  • Writer: dailyentertainment95
    dailyentertainment95
  • Aug 2
  • 6 min read

Short Summary: An Inheritance Scheme Becomes a Lesson in Love A university dropout and aspiring video game streamer, M, sees a chance to secure his financial future when his terminally ill grandmother, Amah, is diagnosed with cancer. Inspired by his cousin who inherited a fortune for caring for their ailing grandfather, M moves in with his grandmother, hoping to win her favor and inherit her house and savings. What begins as a selfish and calculated plan slowly transforms into a genuine and heartfelt bond, forcing M to confront his own greed and discover what truly matters in life.

Detailed Summary: A Battle for a Grandmother's Affection

  • The film opens with M, a lazy young man who is more interested in gaming than in finding a job. When his wealthy grandfather dies and leaves his fortune to his primary caregiver, M's cousin Mui, M sees an opportunity to get rich quick.

  • He learns that his own grandmother, Amah, has been diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Seizing the moment, M volunteers to become her full-time caregiver, despite having had a distant relationship with her in the past.

  • Initially, M's attempts to "win over" his grandmother are a series of awkward and often hilarious failures. Amah is a demanding, unfiltered matriarch who is not easily fooled. Their interactions are a constant battle of wills, as M tries to impress her while she sees through his transparent motives.

  • The film chronicles their journey together as M takes on Amah's congee stand job, accompanies her to chemotherapy, and helps her navigate the final months of her life. Through these experiences, their relationship deepens, and M begins to genuinely care for his grandmother.

  • The film’s emotional climax comes as M learns that Amah has left her house to her "good-for-nothing" son, Soei, who needs the money to cover his gambling debts. The film’s final twist reveals that Amah had been putting aside a savings account for M since he was a child, a final act of love that proves her affection for him was never about the inheritance. The film intentionally leaves the amount of money a mystery, allowing the audience to reflect on M's final act of using a large portion of it to honor his grandmother's dying wish for a premium burial plot.

Director's Vision: Blending Comedy and Heartfelt Drama

  • Pat Boonnitipat, in his feature directorial debut, had a vision to create a film that blends comedy and heartfelt drama to tell a universal story about family, love, and loss. The film, which was initially conceived as a slapstick comedy about inheritance, was revised to include deeper themes about contemporary Thai family dynamics.

  • Boonnitipat's direction is praised for its "simple and straightforward" style that avoids overly dramatic shouting or physical tension. He uses subtle details and visual metaphors—like the stark contrast between the spacious home of a wealthy son and Amah's humble house—to convey the emotional and economic distances within the family.

  • The director’s goal was to create a film that is both "accessible and entertaining," but that also tackles complex issues like gender inequality and generational divides within Thai-Chinese culture. He intentionally left out the exact amount of money M inherited, leaving it up to the audience to decide the depth of M's final act of love.

Themes: Greed, Family, and the Meaning of Legacy

  • The Complexity of Familial Love: A central theme is the messy, complex nature of familial love. The film portrays a family that is full of both genuine affection and selfish greed. It shows that love and money are often intertwined, and that even in the face of death, family members can still be consumed by their own self-interest.

  • The Generational Divide: The film is a poignant exploration of the generational divide between Amah, a tradition-bound matriarch, and M, a tech-savvy Gen Z youth. Their relationship shows how different generations can connect and find common ground, proving that a gap in age does not have to be a chasm in understanding.

  • The True Meaning of Wealth: The film's title, which initially suggests a story about a monetary inheritance, is a clever subversion of a central theme. The film ultimately argues that the true "millions" in life are not the dollars and cents, but the love, wisdom, and memories we leave behind.

  • Gender Roles and Inequality: The film subtly comments on the patriarchal traditions within Thai-Chinese families, where sons are given preferential treatment and inherit more wealth than daughters. Amah's preference for her sons, even when they are undeserving, is a reflection of the societal norms she grew up with, and it's a theme that resonates strongly with audiences across Asia.

Key Success Factors: A Tour-de-Force Performance and Universal Appeal

  • A Stellar Lead Performance: Usha Seamkhum, a 78-year-old veteran actress, gives a "star-making turn" as Amah. Her performance, which balances a delicate mix of strength and vulnerability, is what gives the film its heart and soul.

  • Universal Themes: The film's success, particularly in its box office performance across Asia, is a testament to its universal themes. While rooted in Thai-Chinese culture, the story of a family grappling with a dying matriarch, and the complexities of love and greed, is a story that resonates with audiences all over the world.

  • A Masterful Blend of Comedy and Drama: The film is praised for its ability to balance humor and sentimentality without ever becoming "saccharine." It is a film that makes you laugh and cry, often at the same time, a difficult feat that the director and cast execute perfectly.

Awards & Nominations: A Box Office and Critical Success

  • How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies was a commercial and critical success. It has grossed an estimated $73.8 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Thai film of all time.

  • The film was selected as Thailand's official submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar at the 97th Academy Awards and was shortlisted for the award.

  • It also won the Audience Award at the New York Asian Film Festival.

Critics Reception: A Tearjerker with Soul

  • The Guardian: Called the film a "shamelessly sentimental crowd-pleaser" and a "tear-jerking Oscar contender from Thailand." The review praised the film as a "droll, perceptive" look at generational tensions.

  • Little White Lies: Praised the film as a "Thai charmer" and a "beautifully-judged and performed dramedy that's sentimental without ever being saccharine." The review also noted the film's "accomplished" screenplay and its ability to "nail something true and relatable" about family.

  • Film Threat: The review highlighted the film's ability to "showcase the apathy of the younger generation and the sardonic wit of the older one" through its frequent "hilarious exchanges."

  • Metacritic: The film holds a "generally favorable" score of 74 based on 10 critic reviews.

Overall Summary: Critical reception for How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is overwhelmingly positive. Critics praise the film for its emotional depth, its authentic portrayal of family dynamics, and the stellar performances of its cast.

Reviews: A Box Office Phenomenon

  • Audience Reactions: The film has become a cultural phenomenon, particularly in Asia, where it has sparked a viral trend of audience members posting videos of themselves weeping after watching it. A cinema chain in Manila reportedly even started handing out packs of tissues with tickets.

  • Asian Film Market: The film's success has been noted by industry professionals, who have praised its ability to cross cultural boundaries and find a wide audience with its heartfelt and universal story.

Overall Summary: The film's massive box office success and strong word-of-mouth suggest that it is a powerful and resonant film that has struck a chord with a global audience.

Why to watch this movie: An Emotional and Authentic Experience

  • A Heartwarming Story: If you're looking for a film that will make you laugh and cry, this film is a perfect choice. It's an emotional rollercoaster that is both funny and deeply moving.

  • A Masterclass in Acting: The film features a "star-making" performance from Usha Seamkhum and a strong performance from Putthipong Assaratanakul, both of whom bring their characters to life with authenticity and heart.

  • A Glimpse into a Different Culture: The film offers a beautiful and authentic look into contemporary Thai-Chinese family dynamics, traditions, and culture.

Movie Trend: The Rise of Asian Drama in Western Markets How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is a prime example of the growing trend of Asian dramas and comedies finding success in Western markets. The film's ability to cross cultural divides and its universal themes of family and love have helped it become a major international success.

Social Trend: The Changing Face of Family The film taps into the social trend of the changing nature of family in the modern world. It portrays a younger generation that is often more focused on individual success, while the older generation struggles to maintain traditional family ties. The film encourages a conversation about the importance of family in a world that is becoming increasingly fragmented.

Final Verdict: A Cinematic Triumph How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is a cinematic triumph that is both a box office phenomenon and a critical success. It is a film that is full of heart, humor, and powerful emotional moments, and it is a testament to the power of a good story. With its stellar performances, its authentic portrayal of family life, and its universal themes, the film is a must-watch for anyone who wants a film that is as entertaining as it is moving.


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