BY HERMAN M. LAGON
GIVEN THE chance to inherit a fortune, what would you do?
“How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” is a Thai drama that has gained popularity throughout Southeast Asia and is currently the highest-rated film on Netflix in the Philippines.
The question remains throughout the film. The masterpiece, co-written by Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn and directed by Pat Boonnitipat, tackles family dynamics, generational conflict, and the awkward realities of caregiving with a distinctive blend of humor and heartbreak.
It centers on M (Putthipong “Billkin” Assaratanakul), a hapless college dropout who moves in with his dying grandmother Amah (Usha Seamkhum) with the intention of inheriting her home rather than out of love. However, what starts out as a plan quickly transforms into something much more profound.
The movie’s success is not by chance. “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” is a complex examination of family, responsibility, and the importance of human connections, despite its initial appearance as a straightforward tale of greed.
The main character, M, is by no means heroic. He sees providing care as a transactional act, something that must be endured in return for financial gain. His primary motivations are self-serving, and the movie doesn’t hold back in characterizing him as sluggish, opportunistic, and self-serving.
However, precisely, this weakness lends M’s story such relatability. Audiences who have ever had to balance self-interest and familial responsibilities will be able to relate to M’s predicament because we live in a society where material security is frequently valued more highly than personal fulfillment.
The way senior care is portrayed in the movie is incredibly perceptive and refreshingly honest. M’s grandmother, Amah, is not the stereotypical devoted, defenseless old lady that you see in movies. Instead, she is wise, self-reliant, and occasionally challenging to win over. Her persona captures the truth of growing older: people are active, self-sufficient individuals with needs, preferences, and stubbornness rather than passive recipients of care.
The relationship between M and Amah gains depth from this complexity, which creates tension and comedy as M tries to live up to Amah’s high standards while also making plans to profit from her eventual death.
“How to Make Millions…” is unique among family dramas because it carefully balances emotional depth and humor. The movie stays away from melodrama at all, choosing to tackle its subject matter in a humorous yet moving way.
There are many funny moments in M and Amah’s interactions, which frequently stem from M’s incapacity to be a caregiver. The comedic contrast to the more somber themes of aging and mortality is provided by scenes in which he awkwardly tries to take care of his grandmother, selling congee daily or giving her a sponge bath.
Beneath the laughter, though, is a thoughtful analysis of the costs, frustrations, and pleasant surprises associated with caring for an aging loved one.
The movie is very relevant to Filipino viewers. The themes of inheritance and caring are especially pertinent in a country where family duty is highly valued, to some as an act of pure love, for others, sadly, as an act of unbridled obligation.
Similar to M’s family, Filipino families frequently struggle to manage the emotional and financial complexities that accompany caring for elderly relatives. Many family members — especially those who work from home or are unemployed — are expected to take on the role of primary caregivers, as evidenced by regional articles and studies on Filipino caregiving culture. (To be continued)/PN
