The concept of elderly care and its connection with the benefit of the will has been one that has been ‘tormenting’ every family internationally, and even more, the ones in some Asian countries where family seems to mean everything. Pat Boonnitipat explores the concepts in his feature debut, by also including elements of coming-of-age in the narrative.
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
Amah is an elderly woman who has three children, Kiang, who is the eldest and the most well-off, Sew, who is the only daughter she has and the one who takes care of her the most, and Soei, who is the troublemaker of the family and the one constantly mooching from his mother, frequently to cover his gambling debts. Amah lives alone in an old tenement house and despite her advanced age, she continues to sell rice porridge every day in the market.
However, when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer, the whole family’s attitude changes, and particularly of her grandson’s M, Sew’s son, who decides to leave his rather unsuccessful career as a video game live streamer in order to take care of her. His reasons, however, are anything but altruistic, since, after hearing from Mui, his cousin from his father’s side, that she cared for her grandfather in his last days and ended up getting his house in the will, he has decided to do the same. The more time he spends with his grandmother, however, the closer he gets to her.
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Pat Boonipat, on an idea by scriptwriter Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn, has come up with a family drama which presents, quite realistically, the intricate connection between members of different age, in an approach that also results in a number of other comments. These comments mostly revolve around patriarchy, which Amah felt in her skin but she also extended to her daughter, who is essentially considered on a ‘lower level’ just because she is a woman, and despite the fact that she seems to be the most decent and caring of her children.
Her relationships with her sons are also complicated, with her admiration for her older son being evident, but not towards his wife, in an element that echoes quite realistic between mothers and their sons’ wives. The way she treats and is treated by Soei, who is not shying from even stealing from her is also as intriguing as it is realistic, with the ending of the movie highlighting this element in the most eloquent fashion.
The central one, though, in the story is between her and her grandson, and particularly how it changes them both. Initially cold towards him, since he had stopped visiting for years, despite the fact that she essentially raised him, something that weighs heavily on her opinion of him. When he sees his genuine and definitely hard working efforts, though, she starts warming up towards him. The same applies to M, who matures through his interactions with his grandmother, although the question regarding his reasons remains, in another rather intriguing aspect of the movie.
The acting here is definitely one of the best aspects. Usha Seamkhum is impressive in the role of Amah, expressing a gamut of feelings and psychological statues with ease. Putthipong Assaratanakul as M is also quite good, particularly in the way he presents the way he changes throughout the movie, while his big-mouth attitude in the beginning, manages to be both funny and dramatic on occasion. Sarinrat Thomas as Sew showcases her tiredness and her love for her mother and son greatly, while Pongsatorn Jongwilas as Soei plays the ‘prodigal son’ with gusto.
Boonyanuch Kraithong’s cinematography focuses on realism, particularly in presenting the suffocating space the two protagonist’s inhabit, while also highlighting, though, how much of a home it feels. Thammarat Sumethsupachok’s editing results in an expectedly slow pace, which does become somewhat tiring after a point, particularly because the movie lags in a number of moments throughout its duration. At the same time, at 125 minutes, it definitely overextends its welcome, to a point at least.
Apart from this issue, though, “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” emerges as a rather realistic look at some of the most significant issues tormenting families all around the world, and a rather entertaining family drama.
