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Running Time: 126 Minutes
Certification: 12a
Starring: Putthipong Assaratanakul, Usha Seamkhum, Sanya Kunakorn, Sarinrat Thomas, Pongsatorn Jongwilas, Tontawan Tantivejakul, Duangporn Oapirat, Himawari Tajiri, Wattana Subpakit
Following a career directing Thai television shows, director Pat Boonnitipat made his feature debut with How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. The story opens at a burial plot, where Mengju (Usha Seamkhum) prays for her one desire to be fulfilled; being buried in a similarly large plot. It's an expensive ask from the grandmother, with her fate seemingly to be buried with her long-departed parents. As her family gathers for an annual celebration, the disinterest of Mengju's grandson, M (Putthipong Assaratanakul), leads to an accident.
After the grandmother receives hospital treatment, she is diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer and given one-year to live. University dropout M is more interested in playing games, although his opinion soon changes upon discovering that he could inherit his grandmother's house. In an effort to make himself look good, he volunteers to care for his grandmother in the hopes of pocketing an inheritance.
This Thai film is already notable for breaking box-office records in several countries across Asia, while also going viral for a TikTok trend where viewers posted videos of themselves crying after watching the film. The resulting success and trend are completely understandable after watching this film, as it is a heartfelt work that is a gift to be in the company of. That can be difficult to believe when the plot makes M sound like scummy and manipulative, yet it works courtesy of the gentle and good-natured handling.
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As M struggles to make his career as a video-game streamer take off, he is initially shown to be rather self-centered. It helps that his attempted shortcuts to become grandma's favourite fall flat, leading him to understand that attempting the easy route will not work out. As he receives life lessons and understands more about his family, the young man undertakes a journey that sees him grow and realize the importance of what previously disinterested him. Putthipong Assaratanakul wonderfully sells the growth of M, as he transforms into somebody more selfless.
But he is not the only family member playing favourites. Whether it is family man Kiang (Sanya Kunakorn) sowing seeds in hopes of later reaping them, or jobless drunk Soei (Pongsatorn Jongwilas) who only appears when he needs to borrow money, the sons are each trying to get on their mother's good side. Only Sew (Sarinrat Thomas), Mengju's daughter and M's mother, has her mother's wishes firmly in mind, although the situation leads to long simmering issues and resentments to bubble up within the family.
Central to all of this is Mengju, the grandmother who cares so much for her family. She is not somebody who shouts or verbally scorns others, instead taking the hurt in silence while trying to persevere forward. Usha Seamkhum exceptionally brings alive the matriarch who wishes to bring her family together, whether in life or in death, and quietly anticipates when they can all be united. When one instance sees them unable to be together, it is a heartbreaking moment which speaks volumes in silence.
Across the 125-minute runtime, Boonnitipat delivers a heartfelt and humorous tale about realizing to appreciate what you have before it is too late. As the emotional tale culminates in a final sequence down the places that Mengju used to visit, it is difficult to not shed tears. Before we know it, the small things that we took for granted become wonderful memories to hold onto, and it leaves How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies as a powerhouse work from 2024.
How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is available in UK cinemas now
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