How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies

No matter how much you try to hold back the tears, it's likely that wall will crumble at the ending, set against the backdrop of a pickup truck delivering a farewell so beautifully. A question arises while watching that scene. Are the tears falling because the film is well-made, or simply because viewers (myself included) immediately relate the events on screen to personal memories?

The answer is "both." How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies feels relatable because it deeply understands family dynamics, especially in Asian families. How inheritance can erase affection, how gathering at grandma's house is a warm moment always anticipated, how the grandma eagerly awaits the arrival of her children and grandchildren while wearing her best clothes, and how the loneliness after togetherness feels so piercing, especially for the elderly living alone. The memories of all those moments together are the truly valuable legacy.

Initially, I watched this film to support actor Billkin. But, now I really like this film, be it the characters, story, production values and everything in it that supports the creation of this work.

M, with all his attitudes and ways of thinking which then lead to every conclusion and decision, really succeeds in presenting a character that is very relatable to most young people, especially for me who lives in an Asian family.

The story in this film has succeeded in reminding me that there are still many children and grandchildren who as they grow into adults have slowly made them forget how much they were once loved in their family. Likewise, the busy schedule outside the home and life with a new family has increasingly made them forget the importance of time spent with their parents.

It is important to remember that many more children and grandchildren actually distance themselves from their parents for various reasons, both consciously and unconsciously. Meanwhile, parents still remain in the same place, watching their children's growth, trying to accept their strengths and weaknesses and continuing to love them sincerely.

This film presents the story of a family with various turmoil within it. Without conflict with big fights, but only through the delivery of dialogue, simple scenes and the acting of each character has succeeded in making the audience enter the story and position themselves in the same position, perhaps with M, Amah, M's mother, Uncle Soei and Uncle Kiang.

Lastly, this is my first time writing a review about a film. I realize my incompetence in conveying thoughts and opinions but in the end I highly recommend to anyone to watch this film. Thank you.

"Touching, Tear-Jerking, yet Not Quite Tearful

This film pulls at your heartstrings, evoking a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality for everyone in the family. It strives to maintain a feel-good atmosphere without delving too deeply into melodrama or stress. With a strong Japanese drama influence, the mood and tone set by the score give the film a charming and pleasant feel, not overly sad. While some attempts at comedic relief may feel a bit unnecessary, overall, it strikes a balance that prevents it from plunging into overwhelming sadness. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of scenes that will bring tears to your eyes.

It has been a while since I cried watching a movie. It depicts the nuances of familial relationships and mortality that I could highly relate to, surprisingly. The development of M's relationship with his grandmother was done beautifully. I enjoyed the quiet moments, the moments where they shared laughter and grew closer. I enjoyed the acting and cinematography so much, as well as the background music that accompanied the scenes. The story was written in such a way that imparted the importance of loving and caring for one's parents and relatives without being pretentious. I really liked the ending and it was nice to see that the whole family visited Ah Ma's grave during Qing Ming.

If you're keen on learning about different cultures, this film offers a fascinating glimpse into Thai traditions and is definitely worth watching.

I'm neither Thai nor Chinese, but I like this movie. You don't have to relate to the story to find this movie interesting, but if you enjoy learning about other cultures, you will likely appreciate it.

It presents a striking contrast between Asian and Western values. In many Asian cultures, there's an expectation for children to inherit from their parents, even if the parents aren't wealthy. In contrast, Western children often strive for independence and aren't as concerned about inheriting their parents' assets if their parents aren't rich.

The film also highlights how Asian cultures tend to prioritize caring for elderly parents over placing them in nursing homes, which is a common practice in the West. The storyline revolves around a grandchild's desire to claim their grandmother's inheritance, and the resolution is compelling as the grandchild ultimately learns that money isn't everything.

Unlike many Thai films that feature beautiful, often Westernized actors or plastic surgery-enhanced faces, this film presents actors who are authentically Thai, with natural performances. The settings are refreshingly unpolished, depicting messy homes and crowded spaces that add to the film's realism rather than the often overly artistic settings of other Asian films.

The film is a drama with a somewhat slow plot, so watching it on Netflix in installments might be more enjoyable to avoid boredom. Overall, it's a poignant exploration of cultural values and family dynamics, offering a genuine portrayal of Thai life.