Danny Boyle has just won an Oscar for Best Director, and his movie, Slumdog Millionaire, was just named Best Picture. Missing the real significance of that statement? Okay, let me try this: Danny Boyle — the independent auteur who splashed across the international radar in 1996 with Trainspotting, a movie about heroin-addled Scottish junkies who dive into cruddy toilets to fish out opium suppositories…to the music of Bizet’s Carmen! — has just earned Hollywood’s highest honor.
I mean, wow, how cool is that?! What an endorsement of someone who, in my mind, is one of the most original filmmakers in the world today — someone who has never truly gotten the props he has long deserved. It’s hard to think of another current director whose work so seamlessly spans genres, from thriller (Shallow Grave, which he made before Trainspotting), to dramatic fantasy (Millions), to horror (28 Days Later), to sci-fi (Sunshine), to Bollywood (Slumdog Millionaire). Even though I’ve always been baffled by his weird, misguided big-studio followups to Trainspotting — A Life Less Ordinary and The Beach — I’ve always taken comfort in knowing that I’d go to a Danny Boyle film and get to watch something new and exciting. For him, the label "independent" has always been more than a mere state of finance.
Of course, until the smash success of Slumdog Millionaire, I wasn’t sure many folks necessarily agreed with me. Boyle’s movies have never been box-office magnets: Before Slumdog came along, the zombie saga 28 Days Later was his top domestic grosser, with just $45.1 mil, and my nominee for his best film to date, Millions, banked a paltry $6.6 mil in 2005. And we’ve heard plenty about how Slumdog Millionaire was sat on, passed around, and almost sent straight to video before Fox Searchlight picked it up.
So I wonder: Can Oscar success mean even better things for Boyle? Will this independent-minded director finally garner some mainstream respect, even after the Oscar glimmer has faded? And what should he do next? Maybe not a James Bond or Narnia film, but certainly there’s a lot of big-budget fare that could benefit from his creative juice. Oh, and what’s your favorite Danny Boyle movie? Let the love-in commence…er, continue!
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It is surprising that he hasn’t had more financial success, considering how well-known his work is (perhaps it’s not as well-known as I think it is?). I loved Sunshine, Millions, Trainspotting, and 28 Days Later…all great films in their own ways. I don’t know if I think Slumdog Millionaire is the best movie of 2008, but it was undeniably interesting.
Shallow Grave will always be my favorite Boyle film. Gritty, thrilling, dangerous, moving…that film is the reason I have trust issues. I have been a huge fan of his work since I was young (probably too young!) and am thrilled that he is finally getting recognition for his genius!
28 Days Later–refreshing to, for once, have a good, quality horror film.
“Millions” is that rare gem that works as both a family film and a first-rate film for adults. Absolutely charming performances all around, and a plot that you can never predict. If you wept tears of joy at the end of “Slumdog”, you’ll need a week to wipe the smile off your face at the end of “Millions”. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.
“Sunshine” was a top-notch scifi adventure film with some of the most incredible special effects I’ve ever seen. If a friend hadn’t recommended it, we never would have bothered to rent it. Big thumbs up. Boyle is a terrific director.
I love his movies- Shallow Grave is easily one of my favorite films of the 90s ( I’m clearly a disturbed individual), and my children have watched Millions at least a dozen times ( my middle child says it’s her favorite non Pixar movie ever). I pray that he gets the respect and projects he deserves.
Gotta go with Millions. I love the way he makes everything look as if you’re watching through the eyes of a child. Just watch the opening as the two kids bike through a field of daffodils and then have their new home magically build around them and you’ll be sold too.
Millions! So glad to know somebody else saw and appreciated that marvelous, sweet, little film.
Man, Millions is one of my favorite movies of all time. It really is. Go seek it out, people – you’ll adore it.
I think he already is well respected. And it’s baffling that you’d equate respect with big-budget mainstream movies.
While I agree with the article, the headline is WILDLY misleading. It implies that Danny Boyle hasn’t gotten any respect for his terrific work all these years.
Maybe I run in a different circle from most people, but the people I know who love movies have always respected Danny Boyle’s talents, as have a lot of critics, judging by how his best movies have been received.
Now, if by “respect” you mean “recognition from the Academy that he didn’t really need because he’s already pretty great and has already been doing what he wants all this time”, then I agree that he’s gotten “respect.”
I am looking forward to him picking up to direct 28 Months later..
But Trainspotting was a great movie.
If you haven’t seen SUNSHINE (Boyle’s previous film) go rent it on DVD. It’s a vastly underrated film. I think it’s better than Slumdog (in my opinion).
Oddly, I love his movies just not Slumdog. Enjoyed Trainspotting, Millions, 28 Days Later, Sunshine and Shallow Grave more.
Happy to see him getting some love though.
Our sun is dying. Mankind faces extinction. Seven years ago the Icarus project sent a mission to restart the sun but that mission was lost before it reached the star. Sixteen months ago, I, Robert Capa, and a crew of seven left earth frozen in a solar winter. Our payload a stellar bomb with a mass equivalent to Manhattan Island. Our purpose to create a star within a star.
Says it all right there!
Millions was the classic. I’m not sure he wants to go mainstream, he hasn’t until now. I’m sure he’s being thrown offers, but he’s a Brit director and they don’t cross over too easily. He’s got an independent spirit.
I still think Trainspotting should have been up for Best Picture. It is easily one of the best movies of the 90s. Shallow Grave and 28 Days Later are also great. Millions was really good but not exactly what I thought it was going to be… a movie I need to see again. I’ve never seen Sunshine but I have a feeling I’d like it. Slumdog would come after all of the above. A good movie but not his best (but I have to admit, that is an opinion formed as a result of expectations… it was so hyped by the time that I saw it that it was bound to be a disappointment). I did not care for The Beach, which is a shame because the book was pretty good. Never saw Life Less Ordinary…looked weird.
I’m not a big fan of intense horror or sci-fi, but “28 Days Later” and “Sunshine” are two of my favorite films of recent years. Danny Boyle is a phenomenal director.
I don’t think ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was the best film of last year, but I truly believe that Danny Boyle deserved every award her got. He’s a great director whose work should be appreciated.
EW writer, Danny Boyle’s big budget attempts may not be as great as Trainspotting or 28 Days Later, but I would take Boyle’s bombs any day of the week compared to other Hollywood movies. I loved both those “bombs” you cited, although I have to say 28 Days Later is his best. THat movie scared the s**T out of me – it took me three days to watch it and the second half? Why aren’t more horror movies like that? The real MONSTERS were no longer the monsters. Instead we get Jason. Again.
I agree with you about Boyle. He’s always been magnificent. I still remember seeing Trainspotting and being blown away. Slumdog’s greatness was no surprise. And I really did like A Life Less Ordinary and The Beach. They had their merits. The Beach especially had alot to say; it was an ambitious film. I can’t wait to see what he’ll do next.
The lesson that Danny Boyle really teaches is that with real imagination and creativity, a little can go a long way. I’m not sure his films do so well when he doesn’t have to find creative ways around smaller budgets. I would hate it if his movies became bland star vehicles when his casting instinct is so strong. Just look at what happened to the Beach – look closely and you can see that some really interesting ideas were in there, but they had been hamstrung by the very different interests of the studios. I hope his films gain wider recognition and popularity, but in terms of his filmmaking I feel like he’s working at the perfect level as it is.
I’ve seen Mr. Boyle’s “Trainspotting.” Boy, whatta’ ride that was!!! Fabulous!!! I saw”Slumdog Millionaire” and it was my prediction to take a lot of Oscars. Congrats,Danny and cast/crew! Your film ranks in my personal Top 25 great films of all time. Now I will watch Mr. Boyle’s other
films with the exception of “The Beach.”
To answer the columnist’s question: What director has done so many genres? Well, David Fincher is one (“Seven” – action; “Zodiac” suspense; “Fight Club – fantasy
& “…Benjamin Button” -love story). Mr.
Fincher just needs to do a horror film.
Boyle & Fincher are the “new” Spielberg &
Scorsese. And Mr. Fincher WILL WIN an Oscar
someday for his superb directing!!
I’ve been following Boyle for awhile, his Millions and 28 days are totally worth to watch over and over again. 28 days, a little CGI, yet it is scary
Regardless of whether or not Slumdog deserved the best picture Oscar, Danny Boyle winning best director is definitely one of those “the Academy got it right” moments. The man’s body of work speaks volumes about his talent.
Love that he clearly loves film and has experimented in all kinds of genres – and doing it well(!) – rather than make the same movie over and over.
I loved Slumdog Millionaire, but nothing can top Millions. I hope Boyle’s newfound prominence will get more people to see it.
(This one is for those of you who know…)
Chant with me: Porno. Porno! Porno!! PORNO!!!
Here’s praying Ewan McGregor comes to his sense
Porno!!!
Finally Danny Boyle is recognized for the talented director he is…even if he looks like Morrissey with a big forehead.
Seriously, EW.com? Did you seriously delete my previous comment because I used the title of Irvine Welsh’s sequel to Trainspotting? Well, EW.com readers, you can look it up: it starts with a P and ends with an ORNO.
Trainspotting is still his best film.