MILLIONS BEST COMEDY, 2005 - 4 stars SURREAL LOOK AT MONEY THROUGH THE EYES OF A KID - SORT OF Danny Boyle's film MILLIONS is photographically stunning and very entertaining. I would not consider it a family film, as it does not seem overly concerned with what most people consider family values. Nor would I consider it a kid's film, as it does not seem particularly interested in how kids think or talk, as writer Frank Cottrell Boyce has put some very non-kid jargon in the mouth of star Alexander Nathan Etel. So I would caution parents not to buy into the idea that this is a family or a kid's film; but it is a first-rate fantasy that is funny, interesting, and full of clever ideas, as well as even more clever cinematography. If this film doesn't win some awards for best cinematography, I'll be surprised. This is top-notch storytelling and filmmaking. The acting isn't chintzy either. It is British, so at times the dialogue might be difficult to understand. Etel plays Damian, a ten-year-old boy that holds conversations with Christian saints, and the one that discovers the money in question, which he wants to use to help the poor. He’s constantly going around asking people if they’re poor, so he can help them. It becomes hilariously difficult. Lewis Owen McGibbon plays Anthony, Damian’s older brother, who has more “practical” ideas of how to spend the money - mainly, on himself. James Nesbitt plays Ronnie, the boys’ widower father, who is dealing with a new house in the suburbs and raising two boys single-handedly. And Daisy Donovan plays the energetic and effervescent Dorothy, new friend to the boys and new flame for Ronnie. Damian thinks the money came from God, because it literally dropped out of the sky. When he finds out it was stolen, he wants to return it to its rightful owners. But the others talk him into another idea: either converting the pounds into Euros or spending it before it becomes worthless, as the countdown has begun for the Euro to replace the pound in England. In the process, countless problems arise, not the least of which are the robbers that actually stole the money and now want it back. Damian is convinced the money is causing all of them to change for the worse, so he comes up with a plan for getting rid of it for good. This film is delightful, but it is not for the little kiddies. Everything about it seems surreal, as famous saints walk in and out of scenes and life in suburbia is given an artistic look. Boyle's background in horror infuses the film with a touch of suspense. Even though it has a tone of innocence overall, it does cross the line into some adult themes from time to time. But adults in touch with the kid within will enjoy it, as will older kids. And, again, visually it is some of the best eye candy out there - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory notwithstanding. Waitsel Smith, November 27, 2005 Text © 2005 Waitsel Smith. Image © 2005 Twentieth Cenury Fox. All Rights Reserved.

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