Money makes the world go round, and it also drives the plot most of the films of Danny Boyle. Slumdog Millionaire, as you can guess by the title, is no different. It greases the wheels of Boyle’s plots, and forces characters to do things they wouldn’t otherwise even consider. Unfortunately cash doesn’t really play a part in 28 Days Later or Sunshine, probably because zombies don’t really shop that often, and the Sun doesn’t take credit cards, but every one of his other films has a pile of money at the heart of the story.
Shallow Grave
This intense thriller wouldn’t have existed without a mysterious tenant who turns up dead, and who happens to have a ton of cash in his room. Three normal people then slowly become dangerously unhinged and obsessed with protecting the haul and figuring out what to do with it. Although this movie was Ewan McGregor’s breakout role, it’s poor Christopher Eccleston who really transforms in this movie from quiet nebbish to complete psychopath. Note to self: do not store enormous amounts of cash in the attic cistern. That really limits your escape options.
Trainspotting
This movie is about heroin, to be sure, but it takes dough to buy the stuff, which is why Mark Renton and his friends are perpetually broke and stealing odds and ends to scrape enough together for their next fix. When Renton finally gets out of the rut and goes straight, his old friends pull him right back in. When he eventually finds himself in the middle of a deal to sell cocaine for cash, Renton turns his back on his friends and walks off with the cash while they sleep. Note to self: never make friends with anyone named “Begbie.”
A Life Less Ordinary
Probably Boyle’s wackiest film to date, and so far his last collaboration with Ewan McGregor. McGregor plays a janitor who is writing a trash novel, and when he gets laid off because robots are replacing his job, he snaps and kidnaps his rich boss’ daughter (Cameron Diaz) in the hopes of scoring a large ransom. Then two angels step in and it becomes a movie about love and change and… what about the money?! At least he finds love. And yes, money. But which one is more important? Note to self: Don’t let Cameron Diaz attempt to shoot fruit off of my head.
The Beach
Leonardo DiCaprio’s first film after Titanic ended up being The Beach, and while the novel is much, much better than the movie, I still find myself always getting stuck on the film when I flip past it on cable. While money isn’t central to the story, per se, the massive farm full of marijuana on a protected island preserve probably makes a few bucks. It’s the lure of the paradise versus the pollution of the outside world, and that cash crop ends up complicating things when the thugs decide to kick everyone out. Note to self: don’t like on utopic island populated by drug-runners.
Millions
In the days before the the Bank of England switched to Euros, two boys find a bag bursting at the seams with wads of cash. They only have a few days to spend it, and they split into two opposite paths: the older brother spends the money on material things and trying to impress his friends at school, while the younger brother wants to use it to help people. This is probably Boyle’s sweetest film to date, but it does it without being sappy or talking down to the audience. Note to self: Alex Etel might not be a great investment banker, but he’d probably find the most humanitarian way to spend your dough. Plus he’s just one damn cute kid.
Slumdog Millionaire
Spout’s other Kevin didn’t like this movie, but I imagine that Danny Boyle probably owes him some cash, so he thought he’d stiff him on the review. I really loved this movie, and Danny doesn’t owe me a dime. He even picked up the tab for the tea when I interviewed him in Toronto. Which means… wait a minute. Did he buy a favorable review by getting me a cup of tea? Maybe money is central to everything. Very clever, Mr. Boyle. Slumdog Millionaire opens this week, so get out there and spend your own cash and see what you think. Note to self: next time hold out for a steak dinner.
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