Millions Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A kid obsessed with saints finds a mountain of cash and tries to give it away before Britain switches to Euros, proving that even divine intervention can’t fix currency exchange rates and the ensuing chaos.

🍿 Millions: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Bag of Money

Damian and Anthony are brothers who recently lost their mother. Damian, the younger brother, is obsessed with saints, while Anthony is more pragmatic and focused on financial matters. They move to a new housing development, and Damian builds a fort out of cardboard boxes near the train tracks.

Discovering the Loot

One day, a bag of money falls from a passing train and lands in Damian’s fort. Believing it to be a gift from God, Damian shares the discovery with Anthony. They soon learn that the UK is about to switch from pounds to euros, giving them a limited time to spend the money.

Different Ideals

The brothers begin spending the money in different ways. Anthony uses it to buy things and gain popularity at school, while Damian tries to help the poor and needy, inspired by the saints he admires. Their secret activities draw attention, and they must navigate the ethical dilemmas of their newfound wealth.

The Thief

As they try to manage the money, they realize it came from a train robbery. The thief, The Man, is now looking for the stolen money. This adds a layer of danger and suspense, forcing the brothers to protect themselves and their secret.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Damian (Alex Etel): A pious and imaginative seven-year-old boy who believes the bag of money that fell on his fort is a gift from God to help the poor.
• Anthony (Lewis McGibbon): Damian’s older brother, who is more pragmatic and focused on the practical and financial aspects of the found money.
• Ronnie (James Nesbitt): The father of Damian and Anthony, struggling to cope with the recent loss of his wife and provide for his sons.
• Dorothy (Daisy Donovan): A charity worker who becomes involved with the family and their secret, offering a potential romantic interest for Ronnie.
• The Man (Christopher Fulford): A desperate criminal trying to recover the stolen money, posing a threat to the boys and their family.
• St Peter (Alun Armstrong): Appears to Damian as a one of the visions to assist his moral and ethical challenges.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Damian: “St. Francis of Assisi, the hungry, 1182 to 1226, poverty, animals, and ecology.” – Damian often recites facts about saints when they appear to him or when he’s trying to explain his actions.
• Damian: “It’s unusual. It’s not suspicious, it’s unusual.” – Damian responds to his brother Anthony’s concern about bringing a large sum of money to school.
• Mum (vision): “My miracle is you.” – Damian’s deceased mother appears to him, telling him that he is her miracle and validation of her life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,584,159
• Worldwide Gross: $11,782,282

💥 Millions Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved Millions! It’s one of those movies that just makes you feel good. The whole idea of a kid finding all that money and wanting to do the right thing, even when everyone around him is getting greedy, really resonated with me. The scenes where Damian interacts with the saints were so unique and funny. Seeing him struggle with what to do with the money was surprisingly moving, and it made me think about my own values. The ending was perfect – a little fantastical, but in the best way possible. I highly recommend it if you need a heartwarming pick-me-up.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for heartwarming movies”
  • “Fans of Danny Boyle’s unique directing style”
  • “Viewers interested in films exploring ethical dilemmas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief mild violence”
  • “Some thematic elements involving theft and morality”
  • “Grief due to loss of a parent”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Millions is a heartwarming and visually inventive film that balances childlike wonder with real-world ethical dilemmas. Boyle’s direction is as vibrant as ever, and the performances from the young leads are captivating. A delightful family film with surprising depth.
• The Guardian: “Danny Boyle takes a lighter turn with this quirky tale of two brothers and a windfall. While the sentimentality can be a bit much at times, the film’s charm and genuine exploration of faith and morality make it a worthwhile watch. Alex Etel is a revelation as the saint-obsessed Damian.

Audience Reactions

The movie’s whimsical visuals and the kid’s innocent perspective create a truly unique cinematic experience.: Viewers consistently praise Alex Etel’s performance as Damian, highlighting his ability to portray genuine innocence and moral conviction.

Many appreciate the film’s thoughtful exploration of ethics and the impact of money on relationships.: The blend of humor and heart makes Millions a feel-good movie that avoids being overly saccharine.

Overall Consensus: Millions is a charming and visually inventive film that explores themes of ethics, faith, and the loss of innocence through the eyes of a young boy. While some find it overly sentimental, the film’s heart and unique perspective make it a worthwhile watch.

Awards

1. British Independent Film Award (Best Screenplay)- 2005

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce got the inspiration for the screenplay from an interview in which Martin Scorsese said he was reading the lives of the saints.”
• “Damian’s favourite book is called “Six O’Clock Saints”. The screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce points out that its inclusion is a sort of homage to Martin Scorsese, who has cited it in interviews as one of his favorite books growing up.”
• “The Pathe logo at the start of the film has a hen with a halo over its head.”

🖥️ How to Watch Millions?

Millions is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on other streaming services and cable providers. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also often available through online retailers like Amazon and eBay.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Millions, you might like these similar films:

• Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Directed by Danny Boyle, explores themes of fate, poverty, and unexpected fortune.
• Whistle Down the Wind (1961): Children mistake a fugitive for Jesus Christ, exploring themes of innocence and faith.
• A Simple Plan (1998): Explores the dark side of finding a large sum of money and the moral compromises it leads to.
• Billy Elliot (2000): British film about a child’s determination to follow their passion despite adversity.

🛒 Millions Related Products

• Millions (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the heartwarming and whimsical moments of the film with the original soundtrack by John Murphy, featuring tracks that perfectly capture the movie’s unique blend of innocence and ethical dilemmas. Includes The Clash.
• The Complete Book of Saints: A Comprehensive Reference: Delve into the fascinating world of saints with this comprehensive guide, perfect for fans of Damian’s character in Millions and those interested in learning more about the lives and legends of these historical figures.
• Building Cardboard Forts: A Kid’s Guide: Encourage creativity and imagination with this guide to building amazing cardboard forts, inspired by Damian’s resourceful and imaginative playhouse in Millions.
• LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box: Unleash your imagination with this LEGO set, perfect for recreating scenes from Millions or building your own creative masterpieces. With a wide variety of bricks and colors, the possibilities are endless.

🎧 Soundtrack

Millions features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Hitsville UK” – performed by The Clash
• “Millions Main Theme” – performed by John Murphy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies – emotional, moving and very relatable!

Thinking about watching ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’? This review breaks down why it’s such an emotional rollercoaster. Honestly, it sounds like a film that will stick with you long after the credits roll – give it a watch to see if it’s your next must-see!

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