Quick takes on Gandhi and other films

I’ve been drawn to this movie since I first heard the title: How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. As new-ish grandparents with my wife, who wouldn’t like a title like that? In the film, M is an aimless young adult living with his parents, with his dreams of being a professional video gamer fading. His paternal grandfather has been ill for a long time, and is cared for by his cousin Mui. When the grandfather dies, he leaves most of his estate to Mui, so M gets the idea to do the same for his maternal grandmother, Mengju, who has recently been diagnosed with cancer. It’s a darkly humorous idea, but of course, M gets more than he can handle with Mengju. She is weary of people, especially family, latching on to her as the end of her life nears, but she’s also spent a lifetime taking care of those around her. One son doesn’t make time for her ever, the other only comes around when he needs money, while her daughter (M’s mother) is sort of forgotten in the shuffle. At first just in it for the hope of riches, M gets to know this intriguing and often lonely woman who was once so important in his life as a child. You know how it is all going to end long before it does, but that doesn’t keep the tears at bay, it’s a real tear-jerker. Great film out of Thailand. ★★★★

Not sure what I was expecting with My Last Best Friend, starring Eric Roberts. When was the last time you saw anything decent with him in it (and not for lack of trying; the man was in 40+ films last year alone). He plays two roles in this movie, two roommates in a NY apartment, both (apparently) named Walter Stoyanov. Taking place during COVID (and filmed during and just after the lockdowns), the film follows as each Walter is going through some shit. One catches COVID and gets really sick, while the other catches the attentions of the FBI and goes under investigation for some previous crimes. This movie brings every cliche under the fold, with truly awful, low budget dialogue to go along with the low budget production (the sound in particular seems like it was mixed by someone with no idea what they were doing). And Eric Roberts isn’t even the worst actor in the movie, and that’s saying something. Why did I waste my time on this one, and more importantly, why did I watch all the way to the end to unravel the mystery of the two Walters? ★

Seagrass is a very lowkey (almost on life support) film about a family on the ropes. Steve and Judith are on the edge of divorce, and to try to save their marriage, they’ve gone to a family retreat in Nova Scotia where they can get couples therapy while their two young daughters can play with other kids to keep themselves busy. The film sets up as Judith as the one at fault in the deterioration of their marriage; she hasn’t been unfaithful, but despite a loving husband and two great kids, something’s not right. As she admits, she has everything she should want, yet she’s unhappy. Getting to the crux of why though, is what is explored as the movie goes along. It is a really slow burn; even I, who tends to like slow, introspective films, was tested, and the payoff isn’t the most satisfying. But there is some great tension, including a subplot involving the kids as the oldest gravitates towards a not-so-nice bully and the younger is left to her own devices. The movie had potential to be great, but ends up just good enough. ★★★

Escape is a low budget film out of South Korea, but an entertaining one for fans of action thrillers. Kyu-nam is a North Korean soldier working at a post near the DMZ, who dreams of defecting south. He has a plan, but on the day of his planned escape, a friend begs to be brought along. The friend ends up getting the two of them caught, but then tries to save Kyu-nam by taking the rap himself. Kyu-nam is hailed as a hero for “catching the deserter,” but he can’t let his friend rot in prison. He gets him out, and the two make their run for the border, with seemingly all of North Korea on their heels, including Kyu-nam’s childhood friend, a higher-up solder in the North Korean army. The movie is more-than-a-little silly at times, especially when it seems time and space mean nothing (as in, a person can be at the top of a big hill one minute and then at the bottom 2 seconds later, or worse, hopping from one town to another in the blink of an eye). Not to mention some strange out-of-left-field subplots, like the nomad gang of women who help Kyu-nam escape capture once. But hey, don’t think about it too hard, and just sit back and enjoy the gun fights, harrowing escapes, and good-vs-evil story, and you’ll have a good time. ★★★

Gandhi is obviously not a newer film, but it’s new to me. Been on my radar for a long time, so when a new restoration was made available, I checked it out. Starring Ben Kingsley as the eponymous Mahatma Gandhi, the film follows the highlights of his life, from a young, smart lawyer arriving in South Africa in 1893 until his assassination in India in 1948. I have no idea how much of the movie is fact and how much is dramatized, but it’s an excellent movie. Upon arriving in South Africa, Gandhi is immediately faced with racism, since only the ruling white party has any rights. There, Gandhi cuts his teeth on how to fight injustices with peace. When he returns to India over a decade later, his eyes have been opened to the plight of his home, and joins the fight for an India free of control from Britain. His countrymen are itching for a fight, and are sure of their vast numbers to win, but Gandhi preaches nonviolence. There’s a lot of very emotional moments in the film, like when a peacefully protesting mob is gunned down by the British, women and children and all, and the movie is full of anecdotes that we as a people should still hear from time to time. Kingsley is on top of his game; he won a Best Actor Oscar, one of 8 Oscars the movie won in 1983 (including Best Picture and Best Director for Richard Attenborough). Great epic about a great man. ★★★★★

• TV series recently watched: Justice League (seasons 1-2), Dark Winds (season 3), Love on the Spectrum (season 3), Reacher (season 3), Toxic Town (series)
• Book currently reading: Hunters of Dune by Herbert & Anderson