A heartwrenching film that explores love and loneliness
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is the latest film to come out of Thailand and has caught every movie-goer’s attention for being so heartwrenching that you are bound to be in tears by the end.
Directed by Pat Boonnitipat, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies stars Billkin, Usha Seamkhum, Jear Sarinrat Thomas, Duu Sanya Kunakorn, Phuak Pongsatorn Jongwilas, Tu Tontawan Tantivejakul and Himawari Tajiri and was first released in April 2024.
Also known as Lahn Mah, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies represents the Sino-Thai community as it follows M and his family as they struggle to make ends meet.
High school dropout M is a rookie gamecaster and is unable to earn much till he learns that his cousin takes care of ailing relatives who then will her their property before they die. Inspired, M decides to look after his cancer-ridden Grandma in hopes that she will pass down her house to him. But as they start spending time together, he ends up bonding with her.
To get things started, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies does what it promises by portraying a tale of love and loneliness that tugs at the viewer’s heart while also making it an entertaining watch.
Along with the heavy angst and philosophical discourse on old age and monetary gains, the movie is peppered with dark humour and comedy as the leads constantly bicker, the good-for-nothing family try to mooch off Grandma and Grandma herself retains her fiery persona as she tries to accept her fate.
The movie itself isn’t full of action, running towards something and trying to solve it with a fantastical happy ending. It is a realistic take on life, relatable and sad but it also highlights the little things that makes life worth living.
And How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is not just a bittersweet slice-of-life story; had it been poorly executed, it probably wouldn’t have done so well, turning into a tedious and dreary tale which capitalises on tears. Thankfully, the movie goes all out on the production value to create an immersive experience, tapping into the small-world charm of the Sino-Thai community in Bangkok and the bright traditions that add colour to Grandma’s life.
This is done with the labyrinthine house of Grandma which is the subject of everyone’s motives, traditional burial plots which are important to her for a tragic reason and temple visits which serve as a pivotal catalyst in M’s behaviour towards his Grandma.
But despite this larger-than-life aesthetic, the actors, especially the leads are able to command attention and fill up the screen, keeping viewers hooked to their story.
Billkin’s M is easily the star of the show as he gives a complicated portrayal of a young boy who hopes to take advantage of his Grandma’s situation. There is no clear-cut moment where he starts changing and while we keep second-guessing his motives, the ambiguity is what has us watching his reaction to every action.
Not to be outdone, Usha Seamkhum’s Grandma will have all of us recalling that one strict relative who is bound in her ways but still loves with her whole heart. Even when her physical shell starts withering and coming apart, she keeps her feelings to herself, keeping us and M wondering why she thinks the way she does.
In the end, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is an emotionally charged movie that blends humour and heartache, paired with stellar performances from the cast. With its unique narrative, this sentimental Thai film will have viewers thinking about it even after the credits start rolling.
Read More: How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Ending Explained
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Verdict - 9.5/10
9.5/10