It is rare that a family film is both visually sophisticated and emotionally nuanced. MILLIONS, the fantastical tale of two British brothers and the large sack of cash literally dropped onto them from the sky, is just that--a multi-layered, majestic feast for both the eyes and the mind. Young brothers Anthony and Damian Cunninham, whose initial response to their unexpected fortune is a Robin Hood-esque spree of charity, have only one week to spend their 265,000 British pounds before their nation switches over to the Euro. Though the premise may seem trite or predictable, unexpected details--including Damian's ability to see visions of saints and the recent death of the boys' beloved mother--add complexity to the story. As the 7- and 9-year-old Cunningham brothers, lead actors Alex Etel and Lewis McGibbon prove to be those exceptional child actors who are appealing without being precious and their understated, mature performances add gravity to a largely whimsical film.
Danny Boyle, the director best known for stylishly violent films TRAINSPOTTING and 28 DAYS LATER, might seem an odd man to helm this comparatively innocent movie. However, Boyle's visual and narrative gifts turn out to be perfectly suited to this modern day fable, adding much-needed flavor to a genre that is all too often ignored by cinematic talents.
Theatrical Release: March 11, 2005 (Limited)
The narrative skeleton of the film is reminiscent of the 1985 comedic parable of greed and goodness, BREWSTER'S MILLIONS.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Letterbox - 2.35
Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround - Spanish
Subtitles - English, Spanish, French - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Behind the Scenes
Deleted Scenes
Audio Commentary: Danny Boyle - Director, Frank Cattrell Boyce - Writer
Trailers:
1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. Fox Searchlight Trailers
3. Product Trailer - Soundtrack
Sorry, this product does not have this type of information.
Review 1:
"The tender finale is guaranteed to melt even the hardest heart."
Source: Movieline's Hollywood Life
p.86-88 02/01/2005
Review 2:
"[An] unexpectedly moving film..."
Source: New York Times
p.E10 03/11/2005
Review 3:
"MILLIONS is good-hearted fun: pacy, colourful, inventive."
Source: Uncut
p.142 06/01/2005
Review 4:
"This dreamy yet hyperreal vision buzzes with narrative embellishments and asides, facilitated by a playful use of digital technology..."
Source: Film Comment
p.78 11/01/2005
Review 5:
"[A] family film of limitless imagination and surprising joy..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.33 03/18/2005
Review 6:
"[T]his sincere, delicate, and intrinsically religious comedy may also become that most unexpected of blessings -- Danny Boyle's first family classic."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.43 03/18/2005