Millions (2004)

I'm flabbergasted by the many positive reviews that this film has received. Danny Boyle is a skilled filmmaker, but everything about 'Millions', from the acting to the script, came across completely amateurish to me.I could talk about the implausible plot and terrible acting (which was identical to the acting you get in a school play) all day, but what irritated me most about this film was how it thought it was saying something smart. Apparently this was a film about 'ethics, being human and the soul'. Do me a favour!On a side note, what a relief it is that the UK didn't abandon its currency for the doomed euro. I think even pro-EU Boyle would be happy that his premonition didn't come true!

Millions begins with the kind of colorful fantasy sequence that lent sparky life to Boyle films like Trainspotting and The Beach, and it continues with an appallingly funny segment in which 9-year-old McGibbon teaches his 7-year-old brother Etel that by mentioning their mother's recent death, they can extort all manner of gifts from guilty, uncomfortable adults. (When the moralistic Etel asks if this is "completely honest," McGibbon bitterly retorts, "Completely dead, isn't she?") But the film doesn't hit its stride until a sack of money falls from the sky onto Etel's head. After counting the loot, which comes to more than 200,000 pounds, McGibbon insists that they keep it secret, lest the government demand a cut, but he nonetheless proceeds to purchase high-tech toys, buy himself a cadre of followers at his new school, and start looking into real estate. Meanwhile, the more religious Etel clumsily attempts to share his bounty with the poor. With the mandatory changeover from pounds to euros fast approaching, the boys have to spend the money before it becomes worthless, but its previous owner is operating on the same schedule, and his ruthless efforts to retrieve the cash throw a threatening note into what's otherwise a sweet, almost-straight-faced family drama. Millions is a very special and moving film, with a superb staff. Watch it!

Danny Boyle is back yet again with something different and imaginative. Though 'Millions' centers around a 7 year old child, this isn't merely a children's film. The message is quite universal but this isn't some propaganda piece where the message is nailed to the viewers head. It is splendidly told through a wonderful story.In a nutshell, the story's about a little boy who is coping with the death of his mother and talking to saints when one day a huge duffel bag filled with money finally finds him. Now what's the boy going to do with it? He tells his brother. Now what's the brother going to do with it? After following the saints' advice, the little boy gives money to those he thinks needs them. Now what do they do with the money? Boyle is known to pay attention to all aspects of his films and thus the execution is top notch. Here too we are given some dazzling visuals (the English neighborhood looks amazing), lively cinematography, flowing soundtrack and sharp editing. The performances are first rate. The cast includes familiar actors like James Nesbitt and Daisy Donovan but the real star is young Alex Etel. This little actor beautifully underplays his part. He doesn't try to be cute (which is what you see the annoying young stars do) but rather acts the way a child should. In addition, Lewis McGibbon too is good as his older brother.'Millions' has heart and the moral of the story strongly applies to today's society. It is a fantasy mystery satire that demonstrates the greed excessive money can create hinting how the more money creates contributes to corruption. Boyle has another winner.

I found myself rather moved by this movie, although I felt I'd been half bullied into it. It's a remarkable film about the value of things. The grand concept is rather like Brewster's Millions for a saintly child: the character of the film is one in which Danny Boyle has run with this literally. Frenetic and flashy, the story is told largely from a child's perspective, complete with overlapping memory, magic real- and sur-realism, lots of colour and a generally breezy way of relating even the most frightening or upsetting episodes. I like it, although it does feel like one is watching a cyclical commercial.The acting's OK - may favourite is Lewis McGibbon who plays Anthony, the brother of the principal, Damian. It's tough to be hard of the cast given the aesthetic that Boyle has created for them to work in which can often be like supercharged Hollyoaks. Yet, as I say, I was touched by the sentimental, worthily naive message at the end of it all. This is because for all Boyle's light touch he's not neglecting the story at all. A super Christmas flick for the family to gather round. 6/10