Millions: A film beyond Monetary Means
By Andrea Salisbury, 04.29.05

Trashing the junkies and zombies, director Danny Boyle (“Trainspotting” “28 Days Later”) tackles a family film with the idea that individuals can make a difference.

“Millions,” released in the United States in March, is a tale of two brothers and a bag of money.

A gym bag of money came crashing through the roof of cardboard fort that Damian (Alexander Nathan Etel) built. Not sure how to handle the treasure, he turns to his older, brother Anthony (Lewis Owen McGibbon) who advises against reporting the money because then they would have to pay taxes. But, they find the money seven days before England switches over to the Euro so soon it would become useless. The boys must quickly find ways to spend it.

Anthony, in his young capitalist attitude, hires fellow students to be his posse, and looks into investing into property. Damian is a dreamer and often visited by various Saints, who advise him to give the money to the poor. The two brothers play against each other, one seeking personal gain, and the other stuffing the mailboxes of Mormons and inviting beggars out for a pizza.

The adventure begins when the thief comes looking for his lost loot and finds Damian in the field near the cardboard fort. The brothers enter a race against the Euro transferal and for their lives.

The most touching character in the film is Damian, his open heart towards helping others makes him vulnerable. But he does not stop giving and pushing towards what is right without letting wealth taint him.

“Millions” is not a typical Danny Boyle film. Heroin attics do not swim through public toilets, angles do not work to arrange true love and people are not infected with a rage virus to become zombies. But, like most of his films, “Millions” is about a person seeking change and the outrageous feats to obtain it. Boyle is making a real change. The official “Millions” web site has links to Water Aid, an organization that provides safe domestic water to those in need.

This is a movie the whole family can enjoy and find encouragement. You will walk away examining your own life’s priorities because of Damian’s efforts to help the poor.