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November 9, 2008

November good time for ‘Millions’ magic

By Sister Helena Burns, FSP

CONTRIBUTOR

The DVD “Millions” (from the 2004 British movie) is perfect for the month of November when we remember the faithful departed and for the recent remembrances of All Saints and All Souls days. For fans of the black-and-white classic, “Miracle of Marcellino,” “Millions” could be considered an update for the 21st century.

Damian (Alex Etel) is a little boy who talks to saints (when they appear to him he recognizes them and rattles off their birth and death dates) and who comes into possession of a substantial bag of money. Little does he know, but the money is stolen. His older brother, Anthony (Lewis McGibbon) is a budding young wheeler and dealer who discovers Damian’s stash and wants to invest it in real estate. However, Damian wants to give it to the poor.

Although they disagree about how the money is to be spent, they agree on one thing — not to tell anyone, especially not their widowed dad (James Nesbitt).

There’s a clock ticking on this money as well: It’s British pounds marked for destruction in the face of the switchover to euros. But it’s not long before the robbers come looking for their money and things turn dangerous.

“Millions” is an exploration of taking the Gospel literally, and the childlike faith that is needed to enter the kingdom of heaven. When Damian and Anthony’s dad finally finds out about the money, he is as tempted as anyone to use the money for himself. All the adults have their rationalizations, but not Damian, who angrily stands up to them.

The tagline for the film is: “Can anyone be truly good?” Damian wants to be good so he can go to heaven and see his deceased Mum (All Souls), but we also gather that he understands the essence of the Gospel and wants to be good “for goodness’ sake.”

Heavenly appearances (All Saints), which are portrayed in both an utterly organic and utterly magical way, include: St. Francis, St. Nicholas, St. Clare, the Ugandan Martyrs, St. Joseph and St. Peter. This film is perhaps one of the most charming ever made (marred only by Damian catching his father in bed with a government lady who came to talk at his school).

Kids — who probably think along the same lines as Damian — won’t enjoy “Millions” as much as teens and adults in our various stages of jadedness. A great question to ask ourselves is simply: What would I do with a million dollars (that wasn’t really mine)? And, “Can the Gospel be taken at face value?”

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-2, adults and adolescents.

Burns, who ministers in Chicago, has a philosophy/theology degree from St. John’s University, N.Y., and studied screenwriting at the University of California- Los Angeles.