Millions

Cash virtually falling from the sky has been a staple of moralized tales at least from Chaucer, whose Pardoner's Tale tells of men looking for wealth only to find death. So too for John Huston's Treasure of Sierra Madre, the best of the lot for sheer power of greed backed up with uncommonly good acting by Humphrey Bogart and Walter Huston. A few years ago the Burton sisters directed Manna from Heaven using older actors such as Cloris Leachman and Shirley Jones to tell of dollars from God, elderly greed, and a nun with other ideas. More recently, money again from the sky fatally changes three ordinary men in Sam Raimi's A Simple Plan.

Along comes Millions, a delightful British entry with a new twist: Kids find the money, argue about the best way to spend it, and finally get the help of adults to dispose of it. Unlike most greedy types, who eventually suffer the consequences through lame goddess Nemesis, the two brothers are not at the larcenous stage. They simply have different philosophies: Damian wants to give it to the poor; his older brother, Anthony, prefers fiscal responsibility, which does not feature giving away the money. Along the way they learn about the responsibility that sticks inextricably to every note, which they must cash in quickly before the pound is changed into the euro.

Danny Boyle's eclectic imagination has Alex obsessed with the saints, who appear to him regularly in visions to talk candidly about the world as they see it and saw it. Memorable is Clare of Assisi, who smokes a cigarette and claims to be the patron saint of television. Saint Nicholas helps Damian deliver cash to needy Mormons, who turn around immediately and buy a foot massager and digital TV. It's refreshing to see the saints almost human in their little scenes that illuminate the realistic side of religious fanaticism. But it is that devotion that lets Damian fight the forces of greed and a forceful brother, not to mention the crooks and citizens now fully engaged in extracting the cash from the blameless kids.

Boyle's hyperactive camera ushers in some magic realism at the beginning with a house building itself in seconds and later a rocket launch to an exotic paradise. No one ever accused Boyle of being unimaginative or reverent. The ornery Millions is a tribute to a director who makes children interesting and wise and movies for everyone.

This magical, phantasmagorial feel-good movie really ought not to work but it does, and beautifully. It's certainly Danny Boyle's best film since "Trainspotting". Alex Etel and Lewis McGibbon are the children whose discovery of a bag of money from a, not the, great train robbery has a somewhat traumatic effect on their somewhat humdrum lives. At first it's a case of spend, spend, spend, certainly by the older boy, Anthony, or give, give, give in the case of Damian, the younger one whose sleeping and waking moments are filled with visions of the saints. Their foolhardy behaviour soon draws the attention of both the authorities and one of the villains and their problems are further exacerbated by the fact that they only have a few days to get rid of the lolly before Britain converts to the Euro.

This is a sweet movie but it isn't a cloying one. At its centre is a truly wonderful performance from Alex Etel as Damian, acting as if he believed every minute of it, (and banishing our doubts in the process). It helps, too, that the film has a very solid script by Frank Cottrell Boyce that blends fantasy and realism so seamlessly. It's funny and it's moving and the old chestnut of the dead mother paying one last visit to her children is handled without sentimentality. A credit to all concerned.

After directing the Scottish junkies' tale "Trainspotting" and the zombie horror story "28 Days Later," the latest from Danny Boyle is a real departure. "Millions" is the story of Damian Cunningham, a pious young dreamer who walks and talks with saints. When a huge satchel of money falls out of the sky, he assumes it came from Heaven. This is a charming movie with a tender story, and whimsical visuals. (Keep your eye on the saints' halos!) There are moments of comedy, of suspense, and thought-provoking elements. One scene has St. Peter giving a theory on how the miracle of the loaves and the fishes may have really happened. Above all, "Millions" may make you think about being more charitable. Whether that was Boyle's original intention is not clear, but it's a very nice sentiment.

I saw this as part of the London Film Festival and loved it.

The story was very well told through the eyes of the two pre-teens and the usual sibling rivalry you would expect in real life was present. James Nesbitt was very good in the roll of the boys father although his 'northern' accent was a little strange, and its always nice to see Daisy Donovan in anything

Once the film ended the audience must have applauded for about 5 minutes, something I have not witnessed for some years now.

See this film, tell your friends to see it and go again with them. (There is also a Clash song used in the soundtrack which is always a good sign)

Too few films are able to capture the innocence and wonder of childhood. This film is one that does so with relative ease. Most filmmakers are too cynical to capture the amazement by which children see life. Danny Boyle, much like Steven Spielberg in "E.T.", has done so in this film. "Millions" is not very similar to "E.T.", other than that it involves young children in extraordinary circumstances. "Millions" is much deeper and more provocative than "E.T." It covers a whole slew of topics: ethics, boyhood, loss, faith, greed. One of the main themes of the film seems to me to be the loss of a parent. This film very deftly handles the boys reaction to their mother's death. At times, the boys seem almost flippant in regard to her death, as when they use her death to gain sympathy from adults. In reality, they are either running from it, as in Anthony's case, or running to it, as in Damiens case. Neither boys are quite sure what her death means, and how to deal with it. Their reactions to the money symbolize their reactions to their loss. Anthony tries to forget it and wash it away with stuff. Damien tries to find his mother, who he sees as the greatest saint, by becoming a saint himself. Both boys are unrealistic in their goals, and both boys come to some type of terms with her death. This film deals with serious issues, but it deals with them in a very lighthearted, child-like way. Boyle has to be one of the most inventive visual directors. Many directors use frenetic pacing and quick editing to their detriment. Their films are nothing more than a long music video. Boyle uses these techniques with flair and restraint. Like Spielberg, he knows how to dazzle and delight. The boy actors in this film are very good. Or I should say Boyle uses the actors with a master touch. These are two very strong performances. Each of them is cute, but their performances are much deeper than their adorableness. This is a very good film. I hope more people watch it.