Dir.
Danny Boyle, 2004 , UK / USA , 98 min
Cast:
James Nesbitt, Daisy Donovan, Alex Etel, Lewis McGibbon
Danny Boyle's latest is a million miles away from the junkies, murderers and zombies that have populated much of his previous works, yet still bears the potent visual sensibility with which he made his name. Working from a script by Frank Cottrell Boyce ( 24 Hour Party People, Code 46 ), Boyle has created a charming film for all the family (the poster proudly claims that this is "a Danny Boyle Film you can take your kids to see"). An urban fairy tale that mixes elements of bittersweet comedy, realist drama and freewheeling fantasy, Boyle's film also boasts something of a dark edge, borrowed from Charles Laughton's classic Night Of The Hunter.
It is a week before the UK converts to the Euro and two pre-teen brothers, growing up in the north west of England are struggling to come to terms with the death of their mother. Twelve-year-old Anthony (McGibbon) conceals his emotions behind a sensible, no-nonsense exterior, while eight-year-old Damian (Etel) is a dreamy fantasist, who sublimates his grief into an obsession with saints and all things holy. Boyle depicts Damian's divine visitations with typical visual panache, as saints regularly appear to the good hearted youngster, dispensing wisdom, complete with working-class regional accents and shimmering halos.
When a bag full of stolen money literally falls from the sky into his cardboard den - as if from Heaven - Damian feels that he has been tasked with a divine mission and decides to distribute the cash to those in need. Soon his brother gets in on the act, with slightly less altruistic motives. As he starts splashing the money around, his playground popularity soon rockets, and the boys' father (Nesbitt) starts to get suspicious. This hardly slows their spending spree as they know they must shift the cash before the currency converts, and their 'millions' become worthless. A more pressing concern emerges in the shape of a sinister stranger (Christopher Fulford), part of the criminal gang who stole the money, and who now wants it back.
Boyle coaxes a brace of fantastic performances from his young leads, especially nine year old Alex Etel who romps away with the film, displaying an effortless and engaging naturalism in his acting debut. The story is beautifully photographed by Dogma regular Anthony Dod Mantle, who manages to convey Damian's sweet and saintly view of the world in some lovely and lyrical sequences. The opening image in which the boys race through the bright yellow of a field of rapeseed, or the way a group of night cyclists glide past Damian like heavenly entities, work so much better than some of Boyle's more tricksy computer generated effects.
If at times the film has a bit of a small-screen feel (partly due to the casting of such familiar TV faces as Nesbitt and Daisy Donovan), Millions is nonetheless a charming and engaging little movie, with a heart of gold and a refreshingly innocent nature.
Gus Alvarez
MILLIONS is released on Region 2 DVD on 21st November 2005 by Pathe Distribution Ltd.
Features include:
- Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation
- English DD5.1 Surround
- English HOH subtitles and Audio Description for the main feature
- Director's Commentary
- Deleted Scenes (29:03mins)
- DVD Cut-Down (Danny Boyle's 4 minute edit of the film)
- Behind-the-Scenes featurettes x4 (13:26mins total)
- Audition Footage (10:52mins)
- Short Film 'Badgered' (7:06mins)
- UK Theatrical Trailer and TV spots
- Water Aid information
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