Heartfelt Millions hits tenderest spot

By: Karen Maziarz

Posted: 3/4/05

Zombies, heroin, sex, punk rock: all themes that have existed in the past work of Danny Boyle (28 Days Later, Trainspotting) and Frank Cottrell Boyce (24 Hour Party People).

The two teamed up to create the film Millions. Going into this movie I had no idea what it was about, so naturally, based specifically on the past work of Boyle that I had seen, I expected, and was very much looking forward to, a dark and twisted film. But what did I get? A lovely family film about a boy infatuated with saints, who wants to help the poor with a sack of money that he happens to comes across. Now oddly, as much as I love and was looking forward to a gritty picture, I'm still a sucker for a genuine, feel-good movie and Millions really hit me.

Set in the UK, a widowed father and his two sons move into a new house. Lost by the death of his mother, the youngest son, 7 year old Damien (Alex Etel) keeps to himself with a subdued demeanor. Rather than making some pals at his new school, he builds a fort beside the railroad near his house, where he watches the trains and converses with the peculiar visions of saints that he sees.

One particular afternoon, while Damien is having a chat with the cheeba smoking Saint Claire of Assisi, a duffel bag full of cash falls out of the sky. Assuming it's just another vision, Damien is astonished when his 9 year old brother Anthony (Lewis McGibbon) can see it as well. Being just days before the British Pound is converted to the Euro, the boys must find something to do with all the money. Anthony thinks they should keep the money a secret, and spend its entirety on the two of them and their friends. Damien, however, thinking the money was a gift from God, wants to do good with it by giving it to the poor.

Thus begins the quirky tale of their spending. Being the older brother, Anthony tries to dictate what the money should go to. He buys telephones and toys and the attention of his classmates. Behind his brother's back, Damien still does what he wishes with the money. He donates 1000 pounds to a school charity drive, for instance. In another of his divine dealings, he teams up with Saint Nicholas to stuff his Mormon neighbors' mailbox with bills after they tell him they are poor. He continues to go around inquiring those he runs into as to whether or not they are poor.

As you might expect, the real story behind where the money came from is revealed to us. It turns out that a major heist had gone down, and the money was stolen and then thrown off of trains in strategic locations, for certain men involved to catch. In this one location however, it was Damien who happened to catch the money. It just so happens that Damien encounters the man who was meant to have it on his quest for the poverty stricken. His brother pulls him away but the man continues to seek out Damien with the dire intent on getting the money back.

Mixed in with their spending frenzy and their attempts to keep the money hidden from both the accomplice and community are moments of simple family bonding and an affectionate moment between Damien and a vision of his mother.

Often with these sappy movies, you're stuck with a lame plot and cookie cutter actors. But Millions was refreshing. From start to end, its sincerity and wholesomeness left me with a complacent smile and a general good feeling. The majority of the credit goes to the young talent, Alex Etel. His subtlety and poignancy hit the spot in conveying the compassion and heart that the entire film was aiming for.