Review of Millions (2005) by To Deny A Passion Kills You Slowly — 26 May 2008

Money changes everything, and everyone, except an.

Exceptionally faithful young boy, who has an affinity.

For Saints, in the offbeat, yet affecting and.

Heartfelt British film"Millions.".

Director Danny Boyle takes a break from his usually.

Darker fare, such as "28 Days Later" and.

"Trainspotting," and takes on what is at the core a.

Sweet and uplifting, and often humorous, humanistic.

Story about faith in God, and in people.

"Millions" is told through the eyes of a young boy,.

Damien (Alexander Nathan Etel,) whose mother has.

Recently died, and moves with his father and older.

Brother to start a new life.

Damien sees visions of different Saints (often.

Depicted lightheartedly) which bring him comfort at.

The loss of his mother.

One day Damien finds a bag (which seems to have fallen.

From the sky) filled with millions of British Pounds.

Damien tells only his older brother Anthony (Lewis.

Owen McGibbon.) Damien believes the money is a gift.

From God, and wants to use it to help the poor, while.

The greedy Anthony believes it is luck, and wants to.

Buy frivolous luxuries, invest in property, and even.

Buy friends.

Predictably, there is a shadier reason the money.

Appeared, and a highly professional bank robber soon.

Turns up looking for the money.

While this could turn into a cliché, and play out like.

Many movies have, "Millions" manages to keep the story.

Mostly fresh.

The money slowly starts to corrupt everyone around.

Damien (directly or indirectly) and the Saints he sees.

Begin to intervene on his behalf to use the money for.

Good or get rid of it all together.

As plots go, "Millions" is not the most original, but.

By telling the story throughout the eyes of such an.

Unusual boy, it takes a more unique tone.

The film is less about the plot but more about raising.

Questions within the audience.

Damien and his family are not depicted as being.

Catholic or practicing any specific religion, yet.

Damien is the most faithful and good character in the.

Film.

Many figures who should be good (or even faithful) are.

Most certainly not, such as the corrupt and tactless.

Local police chief, or a group of Mormon missionaries.

Who take an large anonymous donation from Damien, and.

Spend it on various electronics and luxuries for their.

Own personal use.

Religion or authority does not necessarily equal.

Righteous or faithful, as is more often than not, true.

In life.

"Millions" also comments on how people cope with loss.

And grief, particularly males. Damien turns to faith,.

Anthony appears to be cold and uses the event for.

Sympathy to get out of trouble, and their father falls.

Into routine and providing material things for his.

Sons.

While Damien would appear to have taken things the.

Hardest emotionally, it goes to show he deals with and.

Accepts the situation wholly, while the other two,.

Particularly Anthony, aren't doing well at all on the.

Inside.

The film also astutely names the two main characters.

For names of actual Patron Saints.

According to Damien, "Money is just a thing, and.

Things change." This also is an adept commentary on.

The amount of importance all wealthy countries place.

On money in day to day life, and perhaps neglect other.

Things (not just the poor, but other more important.

Aspects of their own lives,) from they eyes of a.

Child.

The money is also found in a bag bearing the Nike.

Symbol, a not so subtle comment on materialism and.

Marketing to youth.

Technically, "Millions" is very reminiscent of Boyle's.

Previous works', particularly "Trainspotting" using.

Sped up motion and time lapse quite often to show the.

Speed of life so far ahead of Damien, or how quickly.

Money goes into use.

The film is surprisingly light and funny for its.

Messages, the Saints are depicted as flawed, which.

Provides humor, but also comments again that the truly.

Righteous were merely human.

Despite being a bit preachy, "Millions" also works as.

A family film examining good morals even outside.

Religion, and has a heart and tone reminiscent of.

Another British film "Billy Elliot," also about an all.

Male family coping with the loss of a wife and mother.

"Millions" is appropriate for families, and appeals to.

A fairly wide audience.

For the unique spin on a familiar plot, the acting,.

But mostly the questions raised and the brilliant.

Social commentaries, "Millions" is one of the best.

Films so far this year.