How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies: A Reflection

I knew what to expect way before I lined up for the movie tickets yet I was utterly unprepared for the overwhelming rush of tears during the film's intense scenes. The storyline closely mirrors my own experience because I was raised by my maternal grandparents and I've always believed that I was the favorite apo.

Truth be told, I dread going to the cinema because I often encounter loud and inconsiderate moviegoers. For this film though, everyone was silent from beginning to end. You could almost hear a pin drop. It felt like every person in the room was completely engrossed in the film and they want to take every detail to heart. Things changed halfway through the film. The room was filled with the sound of sniffles from others around me. I turned my head and saw people wiping their tears away. Me included.

The subtle and natural performances of the lead characters, Amah and M, were outstanding. They said so much by saying so little. Their gaze, gestures, and muffled cries were enough to communicate their emotions. There were no loud confrontations, no exaggerated dramatic scenes. It was an accurate depiction of real life unfolding on screen.

The film delves into the challenges faced by the elderly. The sad reality is, some of them have been neglected by their children and have no other choice but to live alone. A more heartbreaking dilemma is when they are diagnosed with a terminal disease, who takes the responsibility of taking care of them? Some would rather spend their remaining days alone than be a burden to their children, like the Grandma in the film.

The best gift we can offer our loved ones is our time. We may have so much on our plate because of the numerous roles we play in life but what's the point of living if we can't make them feel that they are loved? M, the grandson, had shown that the best language of love is service. Genuine service that does not expect anything, not even inheritance, in return.

If you want a good (and ugly) cry, "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" will effortlessly do it for you.

PS. Wear a waterproof mascara. Trust me on this.