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Damian and Anthony come into an unexpected load of cash

Damian's faith finds its shape in his preoccupation with the saints, with whom he converses intently when he's alone. Saints don't pop up very often at the movies, and that's odd, considering how central they've been in the history of visual art. Boyle seems thrilled to have them at his beck and call in this film, and their appearances are delightful, small halos spinning like glow-in-the-dark Frisbees. Saints Anne and Nicholas stop by. Saint Peter offers a new interpretation of the loaves and fishes story which, while unorthodox, is a worthwhile lesson. But it's the martyrs of Uganda who make the biggest impression on Damian, giving him a vision for future investments.

With his growing passion for Africa, and a bedroom illuminated by a globe that represents his comprehensive conscience, Damian's bound for a future as a missionary or a humanitarian leader … or at least a U2 fan.

In fact, it's surprising that Boyle wraps up the film without claiming one of U2's euphoric anthems of compassion for the finale. But Millions is mightily inspiring anyway. In its lowest moments, Frank Cottrell Boyce's script—which he developed with Boyle and turned into a novel—toes the line of do-gooder sentimentality (Pay It Forward) and cute-kid-in-peril capers (Home Alone). Most of the time, though, it rises above family film clichés. Boyce respects his audience enough to portray the real world with all of its complexities and pressures. He creates kids who act like kids and grownups who act like grownups. The neighborhood policeman is not a hero, a crook, or an idiot, but he is a bit insensitive. The humanitarian worker who inspires Damian never becomes too angelic (even though the actress who plays her looks a lot like Emma Thompson). Damian's father is, thank goodness, as three-dimensional as his boys, and he's never reduced to being a fool, a lout, or a villain. Hard to believe.

Best of all, Millions refuses to tell us that saving the world is a simple process of good deeds. It instead focuses on the differences between the brothers' worldviews, and how one's perspective can determine the fullness of one's life. Where Anthony's "grownup" disregard for spiritual realities lead directly to his materialism and anxiety, Damian's assumptions enable him to experience sincere joy as he serves others.

Alex Etel will steal your heart in the role of Damian

This isn't the first time Boyle's been drawn to the question of how to deal with an abandoned case full of money. See Shallow Grave, a much darker tale. Most of his work has revolved around the way that human hearts must strive against inclinations toward beastly behavior. Even 2002's low-budget zombie flick 28 Days Later was a meaningful exploration of human depravity. This is Boyle's first "family film," and the genre seems to fit him better than anything he's yet tried. While his reckless energy has made his career a hit-and-miss affair (Trainspotting and 28 Days Later, but also A Life Less Ordinary and The Beach), his trademark enthusiasm with special effects and rapid-cut editing serves him smashingly well here.

Fortunately, Boyce and Boyle have the good sense to know that this story needs a more profound conclusion than mere special effects can offer. In the context of a Christmas pageant, they give the audience a glimpse of the only well that can satisfy spiritual thirst. And when the story culminates in a predictable exchange, Boyle choreographs it so beautifully that viewers will start passing around the Kleenex. (Is it just this critic's wishful thinking, or does Damian have a transcendent moment while resting on a makeshift cross near the end?) Then, in a stroke of genius, the storytellers carry the film even farther to an unexpected, inspired, transporting epilogue, in which they seem to catch Damian's optimistic fever. On that high, Millions sends the audience out feeling like … well … a million bucks.

Talk About It

1. Compare and contrast the worldviews of Damian and Anthony. How are they different? Why is it that ten year-olds are often very different than eight-year-olds in their behavior and attitude?
   
   

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Movies with Morals	Printer view
Versatile director Danny Boyle, the man behind Millions, has made some inventive films that are quite steeped in stories of morality. But he's a little reluctant to admit it ….