How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies 2024

Directed by

Pat Boonnitipat

Pat Boonnitipat

Made by

GDH 559

GDH 559

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Plot Summary


Mengju and her adult children, Sew, Kiang, and Soei, gather to honor the Qingming Festival alongside Sew’s son, M, a university dropout with dreams of becoming a video game streamer. Mengju expresses her wish to be buried on an expansive plot when she passes, a wish that comes with a hefty price tag. Following a fall that leads to hospital treatment, she receives devastating news of being diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer, a truth that her family decides to conceal from her. After the death of M’s affluent paternal grandfather, his estate is primarily bequeathed to Mui, M’s cousin and an online sex worker. With hopes of inheriting Mengju’s estate, M steps up to become her carer.

Before M moves in with Mengju, he puts her house in Talat Phlu up for sale. At first, he struggles to connect with her due to her demanding nature and candid remarks. He questions whether he is doing the right thing but eventually finds encouragement from Mui to persist. As M confides in Mengju regarding her condition, she becomes more open and accepting of his care. He takes over her job as a street congee vendor, learning the ropes of a life he had not anticipated.

During a family gathering, which Pinn, her daughter Rainbow, and M attend for the first time, Mengju reveals that M has disclosed her health status. This revelation sparks various suggestions from her family on how to care for her, which arouses M’s suspicions regarding their motives, prompting him to double his efforts as her primary caregiver. Meanwhile, [Kiang], a successful stockbroker, proposes that Mengju stay with him and his family, even offering to pay M for the caregiving. However, M declines the money and chooses to remain by Mengju’s side.

The family decides to visit the Golden Mount at Wat Saket, where M discovers that Kiang had purchased Mengju some poorly fitting shoes. While reading their prayer cards, M realizes that Mengju has selflessly prayed for her family, whereas Kiang and his household had only prayed for their own desires. M purchases new shoes for Mengju, who ultimately chooses to stay with M rather than move in with Kiang, creating a deeper bond between them.

Chaos ensues when Mengju discovers that Soei has stolen ฿200,000 from her kitchen to pay off a gambling debt. After a confrontation, M helps Soei by offering a silver belt inherited from his grandfather, all the while lying to Mengju about Soei’s whereabouts. When a potential buyer rings the doorbell, Mengju assumes it’s the creditors looking for Soei and instructs M to hide from view, but they are merely interested in the house M has listed for sale.

Mengju later introduces M to her brother, who has inherited wealth after their parents’ passing, requesting financial assistance for her desired burial plot. However, he refuses, revealing a past in which Mengju cared for their parents until they died. She confides to M that she wishes for a substantial plot to be a symbol of reunion for her family after her death. When her doctors inform M that additional treatment would be in vain, he lies to Mengju, telling her that she would be receiving supportive care instead.

[Kiang] then approaches Sew for the deed to Mengju’s house, but instead, she hands it over to Soei as per Mengju’s request. Upset by this, M decides to return to his own home. Unlike M and his siblings, Sew does not expect anything in return for her dedication to Mengju. Mui offers M half of her anticipated inheritance to persuade him to care for his aunt, yet he declines. Soei sells Mengju’s house, clearing his debts, and arranges for her relocation to a nursing home. In an act of defiance, M berates both Soei and Kiang for their selfishness.

Once Mengju passes away, M receives a call from a bank informing him that Mengju had been saving money in his name since childhood, inspired by his wish to “buy her a new house.” M uses this money to purchase a large plot for her burial, a place where he hopes her family will come together, which they do in a surprising show of unity.

Timeline


Qingming Festival Gathering

Mengju gathers with her adult children — Sew, Kiang, and Soei — to honor the Qingming Festival. This occasion serves as a solemn reminder of family bonds and the importance of ancestral respect.

Mengju's Burial Wish

During the family gathering, Mengju expresses her desire to be buried on a grand plot, though she acknowledges it comes with a significant cost. This revelation begins to shape the family's actions and motivations as they grapple with her wishes.

Mengju's Diagnosis

After a fall, Mengju is treated in the hospital where doctors reveal the devastating news of her late-stage stomach cancer. The family decides to keep this life-altering diagnosis a secret from Mengju, complicating their interactions moving forward.

Hospital

Inheritance Complications

In the wake of M's paternal grandfather's death, the bulk of the inheritance goes to Mui, M’s cousin. This situation stirs feelings of rivalry and envy in M, who seeks to secure his own future and that of Mengju.

M Becomes Caregiver

As M transitions into caring for Mengju, he prepares her house for sale, illustrating both his commitment and struggles. His initial connection with Mengju is fraught with tension due to her demanding personality and his own uncertainties.

Mengju's house in Talat Phlu

M Steps into Mengju's Life

M learns the complexities of Mengju's daily life by taking over her role as a street congee vendor. This experience exposes him to challenges he never anticipated while fostering a deeper understanding between him and Mengju.

Family Gathering Revelations

During a family gathering, Mengju discovers that M has revealed her health condition, leading family members to discuss various care options. This situation heightens M's suspicions about the family's true intentions.

Visit to the Golden Mount

The family visits the Golden Mount at Wat Saket, and M uncovers selfish motivations behind Kiang's gestures. M buys new shoes for Mengju, reinforcing their bond as she chooses to remain with him instead of moving in with her stockbroker son.

Golden Mount, Wat Saket

Financial Struggles and Theft

Chaos erupts when Mengju discovers Soei has stolen ฿200,000 from her kitchen for gambling. M helps Soei out while concealing the truth from Mengju, showcasing the tangled web of family loyalties and deceit.

Mengju's house

Request for Financial Assistance

Mengju introduces M to her wealthy brother, asking for help with her burial plot wishes. His refusal highlights a past of neglect towards Mengju, adding to her emotional turmoil and deepening M's resolve to assist her.

M's Motivation to Lie

When doctors inform M that additional treatment for Mengju is futile, he chooses to lie to her about receiving supportive care instead. This decision reflects his desperate desire to maintain hope and shield her from further distress.

Hospital

Soei's Betrayal

Kiang attempts to gain control of Mengju's home, but Sew instead gives the deed to Soei, following Mengju's wishes. Frustrated, M decides to leave, feeling the burden of family selfishness weighing heavily on him.

Final Acts of Care

After declining Mui's offer of her inheritance in exchange for care, M confronts Soei and Kiang about their actions. His defiance marks a pivotal moment of loyalty to Mengju and stands against the family's materialistic tendencies.

Mengju's Passing

M receives the tragic news of Mengju's passing, marking a somber turn in the family's journey. This loss ignites his resolve to honor her wishes amidst the familial chaos and conflict surrounding her legacy.

New Burials for New Beginnings

Discovering that Mengju saved money in his name since childhood, M uses these funds to procure a beautiful burial plot for her. This act symbolizes hope for family unity, as they gather together in her memory.

Characters


Mengju

Mengju is the matriarch of the family, whose wish for a grand burial plot drives the events of the story. She's characterized by her strong will and candid nature, revealing a complex blend of vulnerability and determination. Her battle with cancer brings out both the best and worst in her family, exposing their true motivations.

👩‍👧‍👦 Matriarch 💪 Strong-willed 💔 Dying

M

M is a university dropout aspiring to be a video game streamer, who takes on the responsibility of caring for his ailing grandmother, Mengju. His character development is marked by a journey of self-discovery and growth as he navigates the challenges of caregiving. M's initial reluctance turns into deep affection and commitment to Mengju’s well-being.

🎮 Aspiring ❤️ Caring 🧑‍🎓 Growth

Kiang

Kiang is M's sibling, a successful stockbroker who represents the contrasting perspective of financial gain over familial duty. His actions reveal a prioritization of material wealth, often clashing with M’s values. Kiang’s character embodies the theme of greed and its impact on family ties.

💼 Businessman 💔 Selfish 🐍 Greedy

Soei

Soei, another sibling, is depicted as struggling with his own issues, including gambling problems that lead to theft. His character serves as a representation of the darker familial dynamics, highlighting how financial desperation can lead to moral compromises. The tension he creates adds to the family drama.

🎲 Gambler ❌ Dishonest 🛑 Troubled

Mui

Mui is M's cousin and an online sex worker who plays a crucial role in M's caregiving journey. Initially perceived as self-serving, her character evolves to reveal deeper complexities, illustrating how shared family experiences can create unexpected bonds. Her encouragement to M highlights the theme of support amidst hardship.

💻 Online Worker 👩‍❤️‍👨 Supportive 👥 Complex

Setting


Location

Talat Phlu, Wat Saket, Golden Mount

Talat Phlu is a bustling urban area known for its street vendors and close-knit community. Wat Saket, also known as the Golden Mount, is a revered Buddhist temple, famous for its enchanting views and spiritual significance. The Golden Mount serves as a place for prayer and reflection, often visited by families seeking blessings during special occasions.

🏙️ Urban 🕍 Temple 🌄 Scenic

Themes


💔

Family Dynamics

The film explores the complexities of family relationships, particularly when faced with illness and mortality. It depicts the struggles of communication and the burden of unspoken truths among family members. The characters’ motivations reveal the lengths they will go to for financial gain and emotional support.

🎭

Sacrifice

Sacrifice is a central theme, especially highlighted through M's selfless care for Mengju amidst his own aspirations. The film contrasts familial obligations against personal desires, showcasing how love can manifest through actions, often at personal expense. M’s journey reflects the internal conflict between ambition and responsibility.

💰

Greed

Greed plays a significant role in shaping the characters' actions and decisions. The desire for inheritance and property leads to family tensions and deception, highlighting the darker aspects of human nature. The film critiques how financial desperation can corrupt relationships and ethics.

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