Seen: April 1st, 2007
Format: DVD
Rating: 8
The line between enlightenment and insanity is very grey and fuzzy.
This is a film about a child who's lost his mother and takes comfort in the Saints and their miracles. It's a heart warming tale about innocence, altruism and mores. All from the guy who brought you 28 Days Later, a very solid zombie flick, and Trainspotting, a neat little exploration of the lives of junkies. You've got to love Danny Boyle.
The story is not new. Ordinary folk come into a large sum of money, and must keep it secret. There is a deadline to add tension, and a shadowy antagonist to keep the whole thing on edge. But what really makes Millions work is that the voice of right, the voice of reason and eventually the voice of sanity is that of a child. And one that seems to have visions at that.
The objectivity given these visions is a remarkable choice, and is ultimately what endears the film to me. You can make your own decision about them. You can believe that Damian is daft. You can believe he's divine. What you believe doesn't matter, because the outcome is the same. It's what Damian believes that's important.
A child's belief in the fantastic, or exposure to fantastic situations is not an uncommon theme. We revel in the innocence that we've lost, in our lost ability to surrender ourselves to our imagination and fantasies. We secretly admire and envy those few adults who manage to retain their childhood and yet still function or even excel in the adult world. Robin Williams comes to mind.
What makes Damian's situation unique is that his fantasy is a religious one. The stories he revels in are no less fantastic that those of say, J.M Barrie, but are the canon on which millions base their salvation. That Damian not only believe them in their entirety, but makes them a fundamental and real part of his life sets him apart, makes him fascinating and ultimately a role model.
It should be noted that this is not a religious film. It does not evangelize. It does not proselytize. It does espouse some mores, but these are mostly universal, and not specific doctrine. Damian is alone in his degree of faith. That he maintains it so fervently is fundamental to his character.
This is a great little film. It is sweet, but not saccharine. And it has a little edge; a small, twisted smile.
The Good: Faith through the eyes of a child
The Bad: All the money changes
The Ugly: Money changes everything
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