REVIEW FILM “How to Make Million Before Grandma Dies (Lahn Mah)”

 ⏰Spoiler alert!

The film debut director Pat Boonnitipat feels so heavy to leave, even though it has been completed and leaves credits. The tightness is still attached. Tells the story of Mengju/Amah and her family who is a descendant of Sino-Thai (Chinese Thai), Lahn Mah took the main location in Talat PHLU which is one of the regions with the most Sino-Thai community, the majority of which are still traditional.

This area is famous for its cuisine, one of which is Jok/Congee (porridge). Jok (Congee) is very important in the film Lahn Mah, so it's natural that the director selects this menu specifically. The history of the Jok (congee) in Thai is closely related to the massive migration of Chinese citizens to the Land of the White Elephant. This food is delicious when eaten when warm. The philosophy is closeness, in this case, family. Jok (Congee) can actually be a strong narrative drive.

Amah's struggle to sell Jok’s (congee) to raise her three selfless children, namely Kiang, Chew, and Soei, who are in great contrast with the behavior of their children when they grow up, only focus on hoping to be inheritance when she dies. Although not explored there, the philosophy of the Jok (Congee) is still used as an important momentum, to show the bonding between Amah and her grandson, M. For those who don't know, "Lahn Mah" means "grandmother's grandson", so it is natural that the focus of the film is more on the relationship grandmother and grandchild. M is Amah's favorite grandchild. This was said directly through the story of a pomegranate tree that grew in front of Amah's house. The fruit was promised Amah for M since he was a child because M asked him specifically. Amah forbade others to eat pomegranates besides M. In Thai culture, pomegranates are a symbol of prosperity and wealth. This is a kind of foreshadowing that M will receive an inheritance. This is at the same time a metaphor, despite getting a lot of money (prosperous), but the wealth of M does not lie in the material, but his heart.

Character development M is indeed very interesting, from what was originally made as one of the "inheritance hunters", then turned into a sincere grandchild want to take care of his grandmother. The ethical struggle in this character is clearly visible, which then impacts on his decision at the end of the film. In addition to focusing on the relationship between Amah and M, the director also occasionally slipped Trivia related to the social portrait of the Thai community, which was conveyed straightforwardly and as it was, which ultimately gave a dimension of its characterization. The portrayal of social conditions in this film is very real. For example highlighting the habits of Thai people with a culture of placing sandals to queue. This is a common sight there, which then becomes a non -verbal narrative to show the social status of Amah.

Then the MUI character is described as a figure who wants easy money without heavy work. For her, taking care of the elderly is an investment, while also on onlyfans. This is a reality that in recent years indeed (unfortunately) has become a trend among young Thai women. Another example is the moment of karaoke amah and her brother. Scenery like this is commonly found in the Sino-Thai community, especially in the Yaowarat area, where we easily meet the elderly Karaoke together. The moment that looks happy is ironic is a form of feeling loneliness.

Lahn Mah also raised an important issue in Thailand, how girls always get different treatment from their parents. The boy is always numbered. Amah doesn't want this to happen to her favorite grandchild, because of that, since childhood, M has been taught to empathize. Details like that were captured by the director with jelly, so that what was presented by her in the film became so authentic. The visualization of the life of the Bangkok suburbs is well described and honestly, not seen on exaggeration.

All these elements were successfully united into a very touching family drama. Make everyone (and it seems like anyone who also watches) tackle with heart. The path is slow from the beginning, guiding to a broken climax. Already know where it will be taken, but when displayed visually, making the defense collapse too. Lahn Mah was able to maintain the consistency of the story well, to the moment that became the gong of this film. An obituary delivered with love. Inviting the audience to release Amah's departure sincerely. I seemed to be there with them. This film is not just a medium for the audience to compete, to compete who cries the most chant, because it is more than that. This film carries a very strong message about Unconditional Love in a toxic environment. Overall, Lahn Mah is a film that can tell stories from heart to heart, giving a cinema experience that succeeds in framing a sense of grief in a beautiful way. A work that I will always remember as one of the best Thai films. Really good.

 

Reviewed by Khilda Rizki Amalia Utami