MILLIONS A film review by David N. Butterworth Copyright 2005 David N. Butterworth
*** (out of ****)
"Shallow Grave" (black comedy). "Trainspotting" (social commentary). "A Life Less Ordinary" (screwball comedy). "The Beach" (Golding-inspired socio-political adventure). "28 Days Later..." (zombie flick). And now "Millions" (childhood fantasy with a religious bent). It would appear from his brief filmography that British filmmaker Danny Boyle is attempting, whether consciously or not, to follow in his fellow countryman Stanley Kubrick's rather large footsteps, footsteps that dictate that, with each subsequent film, a completely new genre be tackled. Either that, or Boyle hasn't yet found his cinematic niche. "Millions" isn't bad of its kind, fun and mostly entertaining, with a compelling lead performance by the young, freckled Alexander Nathan Etel. But it's hampered by unnecessary digressions, often taking the form of fantasy-driven effects. Etel plays Damian, a Scottish (what else?) kid who's just moved into a new housing estate with his brother Anthony (Lewis Owen McGibbon) and his divorced Dad (played by James Nesbitt). While playing in his pre- fabricated cardboard castle a duffel bag stuffed with readies sails off a passing train into Damian's possession. With a week to go before the UK converts to the Euro Damian has a big decision to make: spend the money (as Anthony suggests) or give it away to the poor. A devout and deeply religious youngster, Damian decides to do the right thing, but discovers some unforeseen problems with his magnanimous plan. Scripted by Frank Cottrell Boyce ("Code 46," "24 Hour Party People"), "Millions" touches on "feel good" but avoids any kind of syrupy aftertaste by focusing on the boys and their unexpected dilemma. And cameos by St. Peter, St. Francis, and St. Clare keep the film quirky rather than cute.
-- David N. Butterworth dnb@dca.net
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