Spring Break
Heartfelt Millions hits tenderest spot
Karen Maziarz
Issue date: 3/4/05 Section: Entertainment
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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.
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.
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