Millions (2004)

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  January 22, 2012

  Callahan441

  Yes, it's a children's film, so I'm probably not the best one to judge, but does it have to be this sentimental? 'Millions' is nauseatingly absurd; a Christian tale that had me on the verge of tears by the closing sequence,and not the kind soppy mothers would have.
  
  Damian is ... read morea precocious little brat who absorbs himself in history books, one day being presented with a large bag of cash that has fallen from a passing train. It is at this moment that the Christian nonsense starts, the virtuous little git giving it away to what he labels 'poor people'. This is all complicated when the dubious owner of the money is revealed, Damian stating that it's 'wrong' to utilise money that's 'not theirs'. It is Damian's good but annoyingly ignorant will that serves as one of my main vexations of the film.
  
  There are many sequences that are shot in signature Boyle style; vibrant, fast and technical. I've never much cared for this however, in Boyle's work and in others', it is often excessive and out to impress, and ultimately is often compensating for the film's weaknesses in narrative. This certainly applies to 'Millions'.
  
  The film is slushy nonsense, but the aforementioned finale reaches heights I rarely experience; it is so predictable and reprehensibly maudlin. Ultimately, the unoriginal, implausible premise and the horrifying melodrama that follows ultimately make this film a prolonged bore. I cannot understand why a grown adult would want to make a film like this, especially one of Danny Boyle's calibre; then again, he did direct Slumdog Millionaire...

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  October 18, 2011

  theoneandonlybg

  From the bloke who brought you 28 Days Later, that violent zombie classic, Sunshine, that violent space classic, comes another film that is still a classic, but not violent, like most of his other films...
  
  Millions is the story about the UK switching to the Euro. Damien is a k... read moreid who likes saints amongst other things; when he moves house after him mum died, he builds a cardboard box house by the trains, only for it to be crushed by a bag. A bag full of money that was going to be burnt. What then ensues is a very funny, entertaining and nice story about what he and his brother then decide to do with the money.
  
  Lots of funny moments, serious moments, as well as a looming threat and a sinister undertone that soon becomes evident, make this film such a great film for the whole family. Even if you are not into family films, this one is at least worth a shot. It does have some quite serious moments that do come through and capture the child in many of us all...

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  October 8, 2011

  xXGiNoBiLiPRXx

  Five saints, two boys and millions of pounds! The countdown is on.
  
  Good movie! What would you have done with the money eh? This has Danny Boyle written all over it. Great story very original too.
  
  The film focuses on two brothers, Damian, and his older brother, Anthony. Both bro... read morethers have differences in personalities. Anthony is more focused on money and how much things cost. These matters are of no concern to Damian, who since the death of their mother, has been an admirer of saints, persons who have done good deeds and acquired sainthood. Secretly, Damian feels that his mother may be one.
  
  After moving to a new housing development, Damian scavenges the cardboard boxes from the move, and creates a small fort. One day, as a high-speed train thunders past, a duffel bag filled with money smashes into the fort. Believing the money to be from God, Anthony shows his brother.
  
  With their newfound wealth, both boys secretly begin to use it for different purposes. Anthony uses it to purchase things and to buy attention from others in school. Damian takes what he can, and tries to help other with it, even going so far as to treat some homeless people to pizza.
  
  One day, Damian sees a man down by the train tracks, looking for something. When Damian asks the man if he's poor, the man replies in an affirmative, and Damian rushes back to the house for some money. Instead, Anthony accompanies Damian, and gives the man a jar full of coins. Anthony afterwards lectures Damian for being careless.
  
  Another issue arises, in that within several days, the United Kingdom will convert British pounds into the Euro, the currency used throughout much of Europe. Anthony attempts to deposit what they have into a bank, but they cannot start an account without an adult present.
  
  One day, a woman named Dorothy visits the school, hoping to collect donations from the children to build wells for people in Africa. The robotic 'bin' that she remote controls eventually head to Damian, who inserts 1000 pounds.
  
  Afterwards, one of Anthony's classmates reveals to Damian and Anthony of a daring robbery, in which several men secretly snuck aboard a train transporting old pound notes to be burned. The men had been depositing packages of these bills along the train route, and were being picked up by different men. Damian finally realises where the sack of money came from, but has little time to think of this when he is called to the headteacher's office.
  
  The headteacher calls in Anthony and their father to discuss the 1000 pound donation. Anthony fabricates a story that they stole the money from some neighbouring Mormons.
  
  The issue is further complicated when their father ends up speaking to Dorothy, who requests his services to fix her robotic 'bin.' Dorothy catches the boys trying to take the extra money to be deposited, and Anthony covers by saying they are taking part in the school's Christmas play. From this moment on, Anthony keeps the twin duffel bags of cash close to them.
  
  It is during the performance that Damian sees the man he had seen previously down by the railway tracks. Fearing for his life, Damian leaves the school, taking the bags of money with him, and goes to their family's old house, of which he still has a key.
  
  Damian hides in the attic, thinking he's safe. Suddenly, the attic's door is flung open, and his father and Anthony appear. Damian does not explain about the 'poor man,' but finally comes clean to their Dad about the money they found, explaining how he thought it was 'from God.'
  
  Returning to their home, they find it ransacked (most likely by the 'poor man'). It is then that the boy's Dad decides to spend what's left of the money. Damian strongly protests that it isn't right since it isn't their money, but their Dad insists that since they have been burgled, it's only fair that it be put to use to fix their Christmas.
  
  Damian goes to sleep, upset at his Dad's plans, but before he goes to sleep, the attic hatch opens in his room, and the 'poor man' emerges, who had been hiding in the house the entire time, insisting to Damian that he will return tomorrow to collect the money, before sneaking out of the house.
  
  The next day, along with Dorothy, who they let in on the secret, the family goes into town, and after exchanging all the pound notes for Euros, spend what they can, but not all of the money.
  
  The family and Dorothy celebrate later on, though Anthony grows angered when it appears that Dorothy and their Dad are getting more and more close. Anthony then blames Damian for this happening.
  
  Damian, confused and still upset over the money, leaves the house with the duffelbags. Once he has done so, a number of people show up at their home, asking their Dad for donations and handouts. Meanwhile, the 'poor man' is caught sneaking into the house by the police.
  
  Damian takes the bags to the nearby train tracks, and sets the remaining cash on fire. As a speeding train comes by, a woman appears on the other side of the tracks. Damian immediately identifies her as his mum, and insists that even though he knows she's not real, he still is glad to see her.
  
  The image of his mum gives Damian some worldly advice, and to his ears, explains that she has become a saint, and that her miracle was him. As they embrace, Anthony appears nearby, and for a brief moment, sees the vision before it disappears.
  
  The next day, Damian reveals what he did...though it is also revealed that everyone else hoarded a little of the money, and it was not all destroyed.
  
  The film ends in a fantasy-like vision where Damian, Anthony, their Dad, and Dorothy, travel to Africa, where the remaining funds are used for Dorothy's charity of building wells for villages.

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  September 22, 2011

  kenstachnik

  Cute fun and stylish. Great Saturday afternoon watching.

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  August 19, 2010

  erika250

  not my type of flim. not a good film .

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  August 5, 2010

  smith44

  A rare, almost profound story of wisdom. The power of one boy's faith to stand against the power of materialism. Extreemley moving Millions is inspirational.

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  January 20, 2010

  SirPant

  Apart from the fact that Danny Boyle, after great admiration for the last scene in Shallow Grave, can't finish a film very well and the obvious 'Influences' Frank Cottrell Boyce picked up from Pat McCabe's The Butcher Boy, Millions is really good! The kid is a little annoying at ... read moretimes and it did lose fluidity towards the end where Nesbitt & Donovan get a little more involved in the story but overall it is a refreshing kids film with enough originality and enough heart, well balanced, so that you won't be throwing anything at the TV and you won't be throwing up either.

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  July 13, 2009

  jlewis07

  Alex Etel is fantastic in this movie. I'm rarely impressed with child acting, but he was awesome. The movie is very charming and sweet yet has a hint of darkness in it that I appreciated. The message of the film is also a great one.

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  February 7, 2009

  jennifxu

  Exemplifies the true meaning of Christian spirit. This is what I look for in my religions and that little boy possesses it by the bucketful. Characteristic kineticism by Danny Boyle with surreal images and magical fantasy sequences. It's never too saccharine but always remains op... read moretimistic.

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  January 10, 2009

  fb619846742

  A delightful movie. Etel is full of life as the main character who chooses a different path when it comes to the topic of "instant wealth". Teaches a lot of important themes, as Danny Boyle lights up the screen with assorted colors, lively characters, and an ending that is unpred... read moreictable.

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• Alex Etel as Damian Cunningham
• Lewis Owen McGibbon as Anthony Cunningham
• James Nesbitt as Ronnie Cunningham
• Daisy Donovan as Dorothy
• Christopher Fulford as The Poor Man
• Pearce Quigley as Community Policeman
• Jane Hogarth as Mum
• Alun Armstrong as St. Peter
• Enzo Cilenti as St. Francis

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• • Mum: You know how complicated the money was? Well... people are even more complicated.

• What movie is a true story that involves a man who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor?  Answer »
• "I am the Creator - of a television show that gives hope and joy and inspiration to millions".  Answer »
• Name the movie. Richard Pryor inherits 300 million dollars from a great uncle, with the catch that he spent at least 30 million of it in 30 days.  Answer »
• The movie "300," modeled after Frank Miller's comic book series of the same name, is loosely based on the true story of the battle of Thermopylae where 300 Spartans held off a Persian army numbering in the millions.  Answer »

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