In many of the reviews for Millions, critics have discussed how director Danny Boyle has departed from his usual violent, bloody, adult fair into a whimsical children’s story. It is a fair discussion since Boyle’s other work include stories of greed and murder, heroin addiction, and a modern take on the zombie movie (and yes, I know the villains in 28 Days Later weren’t technically zombies, they were infected. But if you look like a zombie, eat flesh like a zombie, and smell like a zombie, then you’re a zombie in my book).
That’s a far cry from your normal kids' flick.
Upon closer look at this film, Boyle has not stretched as far from his normal themes than you might suspect. He is still dealing with greed, the darkness of the human soul, and the things that make us human, only in a manner more childlike and full of wonder than usual.
The story involves two young brothers, Damian (Alexander Nathan Etel) and Anthony (Lewis Owen McGibbon), who chance upon a bag full of British Pounds, when it literally falls from the sky and onto Damian’s playhouse. The boys must quickly spend the money for Britain is only days away from converting to the Euro, thus making the Pound worthless.
Boyle creates a fantasy world that is effervescent and joyous. It is a joyful film that is alive with buoyant colors and so unique in its ability to remain enjoyable to children as well as adults as to render it uncommon in today’s everything must be a blockbuster world.
The two brothers differ greatly in how they see fit to spend the money. Anthony, being a bit older and perhaps more world wise, spends it at his new school bribing his classmates into a kind of mini-mafia, purchases the coolest new toys for tikes, and looks to invest in real estate to parlay his fortune a little farther.
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Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
Where have I been? I hadn't even heard of this one. I'm going to put it on my list to check out, Sir Brewster. Well done review.
2 - Eric Berlin
Brewster's Millions rules!
There, someone had to say it... Great work as always, Mat !
3 - Mat Brewster
Thanks gang. I think Millions kind of slipped through the cracks for most people, which is a shame because its quite wonderful.
Can I use that for my publicity pages EB? Ha!
4 - Scott Butki
Good review, Matt. Looks like you reached the same conclusion as I did with my review about this sleeper hit having a good moral message.
5 - Steve C.
I dunno. I thought Boyle's inability to divest himself of his darker impulses clashed with the sweetness-n-light of the main business. (Were the avaricious Mormoms necessary?) Then again, I don't think Boyle's a very good filmmaker in general -- I didn't even much like Trainspotting.
6 - Scott Butki
Blasphemy! Trainspotting is a great movie although I don't think I can watch the toilet scene a second time.
7 - JB
I actually heard this was a great movie. It's one of those that you hear about and want to see, but quickly forget...it seems there are so many great movies out there that fall through the cracks.
8 - Mat Brewster
It was quite enjoyable. There certainly are tons of movies to watch, and not nearly as much time to watch them. I find myself continually trying to catch up with all the old movies I haven't seen only to realize I'm missing all the new ones.