HOW TO MAKE MILLIONS BEFORE GRANDMA DIES

Charm and authenticity win the day in Thai tearjerker How to make Millions before Grandma Dies, an unlikely but engrossing crowd pleaser that builds towards an enormously touching finale.

Like all the great tearjerkers How to make Millions before Grandma Dies lulls you into a false sense of security. You’ll think you’ll see the heart-tugging emotions coming a mile off, but trust me, once that final sucker punch comes you’ll be a blubbering mess in your cinema seat.

In the movie a young man moves in with his grandma in the hope she’ll bequeath her house to him upon her passing. Odd couple antics predictably ensue, with banter back and forth between gran and grandson. Only when cancer really starts eating away at the old lady does it become clear how much they mean to each other.

On paper that all sounds a bit trite and unoriginal and to some extent that is true. The picture doesn’t really tread any new paths and reminds in particular of Lulu Wang’s The Farewell, which arguably had an even better hook with the additional fish out of water storyline.

What How to Make Millions before Grandma Dies lacks in originality it fully makes up for in heart though. The performances ooze authenticity, the subtle way the movie integrates Thai customs and rituals allows a look into another world and to top it all off there is a quietly beautiful original score that perfectly punctuates the emotional beats.

All of those assets come together in a poignant final reel which delivers a pitch perfect conclusion that reduced practically the entire theatre I saw the movie in to tears. So watch out for Thailand’s official entry in next year’s Oscar race. It might tug enough heartstrings to take the gold.

release: 2024

director: Pat Boonnitipat

starring: Usha Seamkhum , Sanya Kunakorn, Sarinrat Thomas, Pongsatorn Jongwilas