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Oct 09, 2024 By Kaveh Jalinous Web Exclusive

There are certain types of films that, from the first moment, you know exactly where they’re headed. It doesn’t matter what happens from the opening sequence to the end credits—with every narrative beat, the final destination looks clearer and clearer. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies—Pat Boonnitipat’s brilliantly titled dramedy that’s been a sensation at the Thai box office—is one of those films. And yet, the journey the film takes you on is so enthralling and heartwarming that, at many points, you won’t want it to end.

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies follows M (Putthipong Assaratanakul), a directionless twenty-something who lives with his mother, has no money, and chases a career as a live-streaming gamer. He’s so disconnected from everyone, and everything, around him that when he learns his grandmother, Amah (Usha Seamkhum), has stage-four cancer, he doesn’t even bat an eye. Shortly after learning this news, M’s grandfather dies and leaves his entire inheritance to his cousin, since she was the only one who took care of him in his old age. Inspired by this outcome, M strikes a plan to take care of Amah, in order to eventually secure her inheritance when she passes away. Without invitation, he moves into his grandmother’s house—much to her dismay and distrust—and begins to follow her around, taking her to doctor’s appointments, helping her sell congee,b and generally keeping her company. As the two spend more time with one another, they also begin to forge a stronger relationship, introducing some unexpected complications into M’s “genius” plan.

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is just as direct and blunt as its title suggests. Throughout the film, M never hides his intentions—after all, his sudden urge to be around his grandmother at all times is suspicious in itself. There are multiple times where Amah confronts M, and other members of the family, about their leeching off of her eventual demise. The directness of the characters’ intentions and interactions can be a tad overwhelming at times, even sometimes taking you aback in its harshness. But, at the same time, it’s an extremely smart decision. With Amah always in the know about her family members’ intentions, the increasing closeness between her and M takes on a new dimension. The film’s intensity shifts—it becomes less of a project about when Amah will find out the truth, but more a story about two people’s need for companionship, despite thinking that they can get by on their own. Watching M’s and Amah’s budding relationship, and the way they adapt to each other’s rhythms and quirks, is beautiful, emotional, and heartwarming. It doesn’t hurt that Assaratanakul, and especially Seamkhum, are excellent in their roles, with clear chemistry that makes all of the film’s emotional moments hit that much harder.

Boonnitipat’s storytelling decisions also allow the film to ruminate on the complicated nature of loving and supporting your family and what it truly means to care for its members, especially as time’s cruel nature changes everything. It’s hard to make it through the film’s first half without a smile on your face; it’s even harder to make it through the film’s second half without tears welling up. And so, despite hitting almost every cliché in the books, and despite constantly feeling like it’s leaning into well-explored narrative territory, it’s difficult not to recommend How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. When the story works, why not tell it well? (www.wellgousa.com/films/make-millions-before-grandma-dies)

Author rating: 6.5/10