Palomar68 Reviews

Millions (2004)

A beautiful story about money and faith, from the eyes of a child

[9/10 · 4 June 2006]

This movie opens up with a somewhat fantastical array of both real and surreal images, which we soon learn are a window into the eyes of young Damian (Alex Etel). He and his older brother Anthony (Lewis McGibbon) move with their father to a new development following the tragic loss of their mother. Damian, probably as a way to deal with his loss, is obsessed with saints, and converses with those who 'visit' him.

Along the way, as the movie title suggests, a bag full of money comes literally crashing into the boys' lives, and they both agree to keep it a secret. The problems start when Anthony, a basically good boy but by far the more practical (and somewhat hedonistic) of the two, wants to spend it on practical and wise investments, while innocent and kind hearted Damian wants nothing but to give it away to any needy soul. Inevitably, their secret starts to unravel, and when a mysterious man starts to stalk the brothers, we know the money has a dangerous past which will catch up to them.

The movie comes together at Christmas time, with a (somewhat fictional) deadline for England to change their Pounds Sterling into Euros, their father becoming romantically involved again, rumours of their wealth leading to every "needy" person showing up at their door, and the constant menace of the dark strange man who threatens Damian. At the end, Damian must take matters into his own hands to save his family, win back his brothers respect, and keep the deep faith that (we hope) never leaves him.

Yes, this movie is a little sentimental, but the acting by the two brothers is excellent, subtle and very realistic, and the movie manages to show the goodness of innocence, faith, and generosity, all the while with humour and wonder. A film you'll be glad you didn't pass up.

Simon Birch (1998)

Excellent and poignant drama about loyalty and destiny

[10/10 · 25 February 2006]

Set in a small New England town, this is an excellently acted and intensely emotional drama taking place during one fall and winter in the early 60's. Simon Birch, played by Ian Michael Smith, is a very small 12-year-old who has all the same feelings and emotions as his best friend Joe Wenteworth (Joseph Mazzello), except he has something more.

Simon has the unshakable belief that he has a destiny, that he was put on this earth to serve a grand and heroic purpose. His friend Joe, having endured a personal loss and frustrated in his search for his natural father, bitterly disagrees. Nevertheless, the two share an intense loyalty to each other, even to the point of getting them into trouble at their church. There are some funny parts, too: the school nativity play becomes a comedy of errors.

Ashley Judd is very good as Joe's mother Rebecca, a warm and caring woman who shows Simon Birch more love and respect than any other adult, including his own parents. Her recent date Ben (Oliver Platt) is a somewhat nerdy, gentle character at first shunned by Joe, but whose true value as a source of strength and love becomes apparent as the story develops.

And that, fundamentally, is what the movie is all about. It is about the power of love and faith over all odds, and the true goodness in people that is often hidden at first, whether because of their role in life or their physical size. Throughout the movie, we sense the eventual poignant outcome, but are still moved long after the credits. This movie has what is probably Jim Carey's smallest, almost cameo, role. But, I hope you'll agree, one of the more meaningful ones.

P.J. (1967)

An interesting PI film set in 1968 NYC well acted by Peppart and Burr.

[19 July 2003]

This Private Eye drama, set mostly in New York City in 1968, is an above-average film which is largely (and unfortunately) passed over by both network television and the movie rental industry. The low-key acting by Mr. Peppard is superb; indeed, he is probably at his best in this gritty PI flick which takes one from the dark subway stations of 1968 New York, to the glamour of a Carribean island, and back again. All the while, there is fantastic music, from the opening score to the recurring theme of "P.J." Raymond Burr is interesting and convincing as William Orbison, a rich, arrogant, scheming tycoon who hires P.J. Detweiler (Peppard) to protect his mistress Maureen Preble (Gayle Hunnicutt), but whom we always suspect of having other, darker motives. Coleen Grey, in a somewhat lesser role, is excellent as Orbison's bitter, scornful wife. Overall a very good, well acted drama, with plot twists, catchy music, and of course, a bit of Peppard's trademark dry humour.

P.J. (1967)

An interesting PI film set in 1968 NYC well acted by Peppard and Burr.

[19 July 2003]

This Private Eye drama, set mostly in New York City in 1968, is an above-average film which is largely (and unfortunately) passed over by both network television and the movie rental industry. The low-key acting by Mr. Peppard is superb; indeed, he is probably at his best in this gritty PI flick which takes one from the dark subway stations of 1968 New York, to the glamour of a Carribean island, and back again. All the while, there is fantastic music, from the opening score to the recurring theme of "P.J." Raymond Burr is interesting and convincing as William Orbison, a rich, arrogant, scheming tycoon who hires P.J. Detweiler (Peppard) to protect his mistress Maureen Preble (Gayle Hunnicutt), but whom we always suspect of having other, darker motives. Coleen Grey, in a somewhat lesser role, is excellent as Orbison's bitter, scornful wife. Overall a very good, well acted drama, with plot twists, catchy music, and of course, a bit of Peppard's trademark dry humour.