Every so often a movie is released that defies all expectations and basically has it all. That movie is Danny Boyles new masterpiece, Slumdog Millionaire. It tells the story of a young boy in Mumbai as he appears on the game show, “who wants to be a millionaire?” The plot unfolds as he answers the questions and we are taken on a journey that is both exhilarating, terrifying, heartbreaking, joyful, fun and tragic. Like I said, this movie has it all.
I don’t want to ruin what is going to be one of the best experiences you will have at the movies this winter. Just trust me, go see it. Then tell your friends to go see it. And then go see it again. What this movie does do is solidify Danny Boyle as one of the most versatile directors working today. There does not seem like there is a genre that he can not tell a compelling story in. Trainspotting, 28 days later, sunshine, and now this. He manages to capture a side of India that is rarely seen, and the best part is, he doesn’t seem to be passing judgement on it. It just is what it is. These are people lives. We might not understand how they can live like that, but then we’re not supposed to. Its not our reality. And its hauntingly beautiful.
Child actors can make or break a movie and the majority of this film relies on kids below the age of 14. And they deliver solid performances all around. Which makes what you are seeing all the more real and heartbreaking. I cannot say enough good things about this movie. JUST GO SEE IT!!
I also don’t want to turn anyone away, thinking its a harsh, dark film. Because it’s not. At its core its a love story and a beautiful one at that. Sometimes scary and some times frightening, but also amazing and uplifting. Truly one of the best films of the year and hopefully a strong contender at Oscar time.
As we get closer to the Oscars, Slumdog Millionaire is getting the global awareness that the film and Danny Boyle deserve. A bit of a sleeper with a lot of mainstream movie goers who might have thought that this was a “Bollywood” movie.
I think that the dance number for the credits tried to add a bit of the Bollywood touch to the movie. I thought to myself that it would have been a shame if there was no dancing to banghra throughout the entire film.
It’s also important to note that a film like this wouldn’t have really been made in the Bollywood system – as the slums are something Indian society tends to shy away from. It’s odd that sometimes it takes an outsider’s point of view to cast the light of truth on some countries. Wish someone would do that for Canada, other than Michael Moore.