A greedy family stirs lots of laughs in ‘Grandma’
In the same vein as “Parasite” and “Shoplifters” comes “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,” a somewhat cynical take on Asian family dysfunction played for the darkest of laughs without obscuring its poignant message. And that communique would be that no matter how egocentric we may be, we’d be nonexistent if not for those who came before us.
Nothing new, but newbie writer-director Pat Boonnitipat proves adept at coaxing charm from a deft ensemble of unknowns (at least to Western audiences) who are all in on his goofy story about M (Putthipong Assaratanakul), a young layabout Thai gamer who watches his cousin, Mui (Tontawan Tantivejakul), get rich quick when she worms her way to primary beneficiary by doting on her uncle in his final days.
As fate would have it, M’s grandmother, Mengju (Usha Seamkhum), has just been diagnosed (unbeknownst to her) with terminal cancer. So, he figures, why not put down the game controller for a few weeks and ingratiate himself with his Amah in hopes of her leaving him her house? Let the hijinks begin, as M makes an obvious play to win over the hard-to-please Mengju: fetching her favorite fried fish, making tea and advancing her modest business venture of selling congee on the bustling streets of Bangkok.
Even though Mengju is unaware of her fatal disease, you sense she isn’t fooled by M’s sudden, unexplained interest in her well-being. Her two unscrupulous sons, Khiang (Sanya Kunakorn) and Soei (Pongsatorn Jongwilas), who are privy to Mengju’s illness, see what their nephew is up to and hilariously attempt to do the same, with the former going so far as to invite his mother to come live with him, his wife and their adorable young daughter, Rainbow. M’s mom, Chew (Sarinrat Thomas), also enters the sweepstakes by switching shifts at the supermarket to spend more time assisting her mother. Ah, ain’t familial love grand?
You’d be appalled at first if you didn’t pause to consider that all four were basically raised by Mengju. Ethics and respect for your elders obviously were either among the lessons not taught or went unheeded. Same for togetherness. Mengju would rather her relations just leave her be to tend to her congee and grieve the loss of her husband, whose ghost she believes roams her home at night.
Boonnitipat has a good time exploiting the shaky morals of his self-serving characters, yet makes each one oddly endearing, especially M. Slowly but surely, he begins to see his grandma in a new light. She’s fun and inspiring. But is that enough for him to squash his scheme and follow his conscience? And why is he a bit thrown off by Mui’s declaration that the greatest gift you can bestow upon an older person is “time”? Time for what?
It will eventually dawn on M. It’s an evolution depicted by the smallest of actions, a kind word here a simple favor there. It culminates in a eureka moment for M, the power of which can’t be overstated. The revelation sneaks up on him, and us, in equal measure. And it’s quite moving.
It also offers an enlightening insight into the ins and outs of the Thai-Chinese culture, particularly the reverence afforded the dead and dying, and all the ritual that goes with it. I found it fascinating. Ditto for the movie. It’s not near the caliber of “Parasite” or “Shoplifters,” but it’s certainly up there, establishing Boonnitipat as a filmmaker to watch. He’s bold, irreverent and has a strong sense of time and place. But if I were his granny, I’d keep on my toes.
Movie review
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
Rated: Not rated
Cast: Putthipong Assaratanakul, Usha Seamkhum, Sanya Kunakorn, Sarinat Thomas, Ponsatorn Jongwilas and Tontawan Tantivejakul
Director: Pat Boonnitipat
Writer: Pat Boonnitipat
Runtime: 125 minutes
Where: In theaters Sept. 13 (limited) before streaming on Netflix later this year
Grade: B
