Millions (2004)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jack H

  
  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… More
  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 a 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...

• BG Movie Reviews 2

  
  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 kid… More
  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 kid 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...

• Manu G

  
  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 brothers… More
  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 brothers 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.

• Ken S

  
  Cute fun and stylish. Great Saturday afternoon watching.

• erika b

  
  not my type of flim. not a good film .

• Jeremy S

  
  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.

• Anthony L

  
  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… More
  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 times 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.

• Josh L

  
  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.

• Jennifer X

  
  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… More
  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 optimistic.

• Dan S

  
  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… More
  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 unpredictable.

• Arash X

  
  Sweet & Lovely, Another great movie from Boyle

• Lady D

  
  Let me start this with the bad point - Jimmy Nisbitt, one of Britains most talented actors, has had everything 'Jimmy Nesbitt' taken out of him, including his accent, which is such a big part of his character. Now for the good parts - both young lads acted really well, in… More
  Let me start this with the bad point - Jimmy Nisbitt, one of Britains most talented actors, has had everything 'Jimmy Nesbitt' taken out of him, including his accent, which is such a big part of his character. Now for the good parts - both young lads acted really well, in particular Alex Etel who played the main character of the story. The film itself is quite creative graphically which helps to show the boy's imagination well. This is a very easy watching film, light viewing for all the family, not at all what you would expect from the Director of Trainspotting.

• Lenny M

  
  Very smart, British film that kind of drags.

• Jason S

  
  This was ok. A little weird at times but the story was good. The ending was a little weak for me and in the end I didn't think there was much to take with you as the credits rolled.

• jay n

  
  Potentially charming concept loses it way and ends up being very dull indeed.

• Aliyanto L

  
  It's not just a brilliant family film - it's a brilliant film! It will send you feeling like ... well ... a million bucks!

• Emily A

  
  I really resent the overly emotionally manipulative ending, but overall it's just so easy to love this film. It's got really realistic and flawed human characters, and it doesn't paint the world as a more rosy or simple place than it is just for the sake of children.… More
  I really resent the overly emotionally manipulative ending, but overall it's just so easy to love this film. It's got really realistic and flawed human characters, and it doesn't paint the world as a more rosy or simple place than it is just for the sake of children. The filmmakers never once talk down to thier child audience. I loved the whimsical rendering of Damien's imagination (although the Catholic thing kinda creeps me out). This movie is an astonishing example of how versatile Danny Boyle is. He went from junkies and zombies to this, and they're all equally effective.

• Nate Z

  
  [color=darkred][center][font=Arial][color=darkred][img]http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/5787/photo010hn.jpg[/img][/color][/font][/center] [font=Arial][color=darkred][/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred]Crash ? A searing look at race relations and a powerful human drama at… More
  [color=darkred][center][font=Arial][color=darkred][img]http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/5787/photo010hn.jpg[/img][/color][/font][/center] [font=Arial][color=darkred][/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred]Crash ? A searing look at race relations and a powerful human drama at that. This flick has some of the sharpest memories I?ve had from any movie all year, particularly the relationship between a Hispanic locksmith (Michael Pena) and his daughter and a special invisible cloak. Their first scene, where he talks her out of hiding under her bed, is one of the most beautifully written short scenes I have ever witnessed. A late scene involving the two of them knocked the wind out of me completely and is the most vivid moviegoing moment of all 2005 for me. Every character has at least one great moment, though time is not spaced equally amongst this large ensemble. [i]Crash[/i] has the intriguing practice of introducing near every character spouting some kind of racist diatribe, and then the movie spend the rest of its running time opening you up to these characters and getting to like them. Writer/director Paul Haggis has such a natural ear for terse, realistic dialogue that can really define characters with such brevity. A great movie, despite the overarching coincidences (I was rooting for [i]Brokeback[/i] come Oscar night even though they?re neck-and-neck in my view).[/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate?s Grade: A[/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred]Millions ? This movie feels like someone is projecting straight from the bountiful imagination of a child. It?s wildly whimsical and fantastical; it?s a fantasy film and a family film that never falters into treacle. Director Danny Boyle ([i]Trainspotting[/i], [i]28 Days Later[/i]) of all people has crafted a masterful living fantasy with great emotional heft. I was left very teary by the end and have remained so with repeat viewings. [i]Millions[/i] has great visuals, great acting, and is a great movie.[/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate?s Grade: A[/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred]Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room ? The brilliance of this Oscar-nominated documentary is how distills a complicated, math-heavy scandal and makes it so easily digestible. The Enron tale really is a story calling out for the medium of film, relying on sound bytes, testimonials, public statements, interviews, video clips, and director Alex Gibny masterfully orchestrates the telling. The film is insightful, informative, and incredibly entertaining. It?s a real pleasure to watch, and you?ll be left scratching your head at how certain economic laws are even possible. If you are confused by the Enron scandal or know little to nothing about the biggest corporate scandal of our times (Enron was the seventh biggest corp. at one point), spend two hours of your life and watch this excellent film.[/color][/font] [/color][font='Times New Roman'][font=Arial][size=2][color=darkred]Nate?s Grade: A[/color][/size][/font][/font] [font='Times New Roman'][/font] [font='Times New Roman'][/font][font=Arial][color=darkred]The Matador ? This is an adequate movie that doesn?t really resonate because at its heart it feels like a lot of interesting ideas and characters that are languished with a sitcom plot. I never thought Pierce Brosnan?s performance as the aging hit man was as funny as the film thought it was. [i]The Matador[/i] is actually a more interesting movie than funny or amusing. The movie doesn?t go deep enough; the story isn?t as refined as it could be, and there are so few set pieces that this flick could have worked as a play. The end feels a bit too tidy and asks Greg Kinnear?s ordinary husband character to act out of character. There?s an extended talk in [i]The Matador[/i] between Kinnear and his wife and Brosnan upon his unexpected visit, and it feels like a sitcom like the wacky neighbor next door has come over and hatched a hilarious scheme. I enjoyed the characters but they really just sit and stew in a really weak story. The characters are richly drawn but have nowhere to go.[/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate?s Grade: B-[/color][/font]

• Walter M

  
  [font=Century Gothic][color=green]"Millions" starts out following the death of Anthony and Damian's mother, as they move to a home in a new development next to railroad tracks. Damian, the younger of two children, has a better idea for a television box than its… More
  [font=Century Gothic][color=green]"Millions" starts out following the death of Anthony and Damian's mother, as they move to a home in a new development next to railroad tracks. Damian, the younger of two children, has a better idea for a television box than its original purpose - he's built a clubhouse near the tracks, so he can spend quality time with some long dead saints and listening to trains going by. (Am I the only person here who is weirded out by somebody named Damian having religious visions?) While this is going on, a suitcase full of money falls into his lap. He feels that the money should go to the poor, while his brother has more earthly ideas for the currency.[/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#008000][/color][/font] [font=Century Gothic][color=#008000]"MIllions" is an entertaining, fun movie. It is touching without being especially treacly. It does have a decent message about materialism that is offset by the occasional product placement. And James Nesbitt proves that his performance in "Bloody Sunday" was not a fluke by giving a warm, nuanced performance as the boys' father.[/color][/font]

• Cameron J

  
  It has its forced themes and is fairly underwhelming at points, yet still well-acted, well-directed and realistic yet generally pretty imaginative with some solid and believable characters, a very good soundtrack, excellent cenimatography and some extremely powerful moments. At the… More
  It has its forced themes and is fairly underwhelming at points, yet still well-acted, well-directed and realistic yet generally pretty imaginative with some solid and believable characters, a very good soundtrack, excellent cenimatography and some extremely powerful moments. At the end of the day "Millions" is a funny, feel-good film that's worth watching for anyone.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings