When I first heard the premise of Slumdog Millionaire, I didn't think it could possibly be good. I'm so sick of the TV show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." Why do I want to see a film about it? The critics were raving about Slumdog, yet another reason for me to avoid it. I don't agree with the typical critics - for good reason. How could this possibly be entertaining?
But then I saw it.
Slumdog Millionaire is one of the best films I've seen in years - certainly the best of 2008. Am I falling in line with all the critics? On this one yes, but trust me... this film is different. If you read my column, you know, I hate everything... But, I loved this film.
Slumdog Millionaire is really a love story, wrapped up in a neat device - a quiz show. It's set in a world of turmoil, a world many are blind to. It's about two people torn apart by poverty, politics and cultural divides. It's about a lifetime of love, hope and persistence - overcoming insurmountable odds. It's about what's missing in the world today.
It's the story of Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), a boy who's landed himself on India's version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" He's worked his way to the last question, and no one believes a boy from the slums could know these answers without cheating.
Jamal is taken into Police custody, where the film begins. Jamal is quizzed on each answer. How could he possibly possess this type of knowledge? He describes where the answers came from, each from a particular incident in the boy's life. (Yes, this is a huge coincidence, but you'll just have to get over that.) Each incident is horrifically depicted by director Danny Boyle. The film is wonderfully tragic, as we learn the hardships of Jamal's life, from the murder of his mother to how he landed himself on the quiz show.
At a very young age, Jamal meets the love of his life, Latika (Frieda Pinto). Separated time and time again, as she's kidnapped, sold into slavery, bought by a Mafioso slumlord, Jamal never gives up. He's always driven by a blind devotion to Latika. While Slumdog depicts the horrors of poverty in India, it has a truly redemptive quality - Jamal never loses hope.
The film really has nothing to do with the quiz show, but I really like that it's centered around it. It's a simple film, put into a more complex framework, and it really works.
See it. You'll like it.
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Josh Gloer, Movie Correspondent
You can find Josh's column One Harsh Critic, published every other Sunday. Tuesday, Friday... Who can tell at this point? at http://oneharshcritic.gather.com.
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Comments: 44
Leaving you a ten to help you reach your Gather goal..
I just wanted to stop by since I am finally going through what is now listed as under 4,400 pieces of gather new mail that is sitting in my inbox on here.
With that mentioned I just came across either a mailing from you yourself, or someone else brought this piece to my attention. You or they felt that your creation should be shared with the gather community, which I am very glad that it was passed on to me to view. So I wanted to say Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to publish it here on gather for us to all view. :o)
As well before I leave you I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year... in 2009 :o)
Theresa Kennedy
roac
I was going to pass this one up, but your review of it changed my mind about it.......
RAOC
RAOC MOTD!
RAOC~MOTD
I found the script to "Slumdog"..." to be an over pat and palid rehash of plotlines that were far from new when Dickens immortalized them (If you have ever read...or seen any film adaptations of "Oliver Twist", "David Copperfield", or especially "Great Expectations"...then you have seen this film). I also felt the photography captured the genuine heat and atmosphere of India less well than the ravishing...and pretty much ignored " The Darjeeling Limited".
To my mind "Slumdog Millionaire " is entertaining...but totally lacking in originality, mystery, or genuine magic...qualities found in great abundance in the true best picture of 2008 "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button".
When you look into Jamal's eyes, you see innocence, devotion, hope, and above all, love.
The music is another high note for me. The soundtrack is on my shop lists.