Millions

Millions is a 2004 book by Frank Cottrell Boyce that was awarded the Carnegie Medal. The book was then made into a film, directed by Danny Boyle. It stars Alexander Etel, Lewis McGibbon, and James Nesbitt.

Themes

The story explores issues of poverty and affluence, and the place of individuals within them. Damian's family moves to a large house in an affluent suburb, where they meet various characters who are developed to reflect various aspects of society.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The police officer tells everyone in the "community" that some of them will be burgled and there's not much that can be done about it. He frequently states in a matter-of-fact way the complete powerlessness of authority, offering only nearly symbolic attempts at retribution and justice, but completely unable to prevent crime or deter it in any significant way.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A small commune of Latter Day Saints tells the residents of the suburb that the only reason they would be burgled is because they haven't give everything away to begin with. The group live in voluntary poverty with no amenities, until an unknown person (Damian) leaves them large amounts of money in the middle of the night. They then proceed to purchase many luxuries, including a microwave oven, digital television, etc. This theme of money's corruption of innocence is exemplified by one of the characters telling Damian that if he gave the poor money they wouldn't be poor anymore, and then what he would do, take it back?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Damian's brother Anthony uses money to buy power for himself by paying class mates to be his "gang", and to impress girls in his classroom.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the end his monetary "gift from God" turns out to bring misery to everyone it touches.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The movie is a commentary on the horrendousness of world poverty (particularly in Africa) as well as the spiritual poverty of affluence. In the final scene we see Damian's dream of the family flying a rocket ship to Africa and helping develop water wells, which earlier in the movie is shown to be the most crucial and easiest/cheapest way to drastically improve the quality of life for most African communities.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As the tagline asks, "Is anyone good?", the movie poses the age old question of what would you do with large amounts of money? Damian, after trying to help people with it, chooses to let it burn.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~