elkabong-dd
OK, let's get something out of the way : I'm an atheist. I say that, because I am in love with this movie, and yet it's catholic roots are wound inextricably through this movie. I have struggled for many years to understand how this can be - I've always loved this movie. And this year, after my pre-Christmas viewing of Millions, I think I understand. This movie, although it revolves around religious CONCEPTS, isn't religious at all. It's about people, and about people's morals. While it relies on Saints, the Saints aren't there to proselytize, they are simply there to tell us something about ourselves, something about mankind. But ignoring all religious aspects of this movie - it's simply a great story about people, and about people doing the right things, and it does tie in nicely with the Christmas theme, even if it's subtle at times. I love this movie, and look forward to watching it every year - it's one of my favourites at Christmas-time.
G K
With only days to go until the UK converts to the Euro, two young brothers (Alex Etel and Lewis McGibbon) find an abandoned holdall full of 20 pound and 50 pound notes, and wonder how best to spend it. Christian publications weighed in on the film, many adding stock to its religious message.Millions offers a gorgeous twist on a familiar narrative device: Danny Boyle, one of Britain's most versatile directors, had already employed (for darker purposes) a plot that hinged on a found bag full of money in Shallow Grave (1994). In contrast, this is a terrific family feature that manages to be profoundly moral without ever patronising either its young audience or any grown-ups looking on.
Theo Robertson
Danny Boyle is a film maker who has a very mixed success . His early career after the success of SHALLOW GRAVE and TRAINSPOTTING was seriously dented by the critical and commercial failure of A LIFE LESS ORDINARY . He made a great come back when 28 DAYS LATER became a surprise hit in the United States . Strangely he decided to follow this up by directing a strange family film type fantasy for BBC films . You have to hand it to Boyle , he's not someone who plays it safe but neither does he do his cause much good by making obscure movies in different genres One problem with Boyle it's been stated is that the second half of his films never maintain the standard of the first . The problem with MILLIONS is that he directs in a literally comic book style , very similar to the end style of A LIFE LESS ORDINARY . Peter Jackson has received heavy criticism by concentrating on visual directorial flourishes on THE LOVELY BONES when he should have concentrated more on narrative and Boyle probably makes the same mistake here when the film needs more of a intimate style than a cartoonish one The story itself becomes much engaging in the second half since it ditches its fantasy element and becomes much more of a conventional film . It's also interesting to realise how much it owes to Boyle's earlier SHALLOW GRAVE and there's a sequence where the protagonists watch an episode of WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLONAIRE , a TV show that was at the core of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE Having said this it's certainly one of Boyle's lesser films and you can understand why it wasn't an international hit . Perhaps this was the reason that made Boyle direct SUNSHINE , a movie that was supposed to be a science fiction epic but unfortunately got a limited release in the USA .
Chrysanthepop
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.
AD
