Friday
21Nov2008
Movie Review - 'Slumdog Millionaire'
Friday, November 21, 2008 at 12:36AM | Slumdog Millionaire
Starring Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Ifran Khan, and Anil Kapoor  |
Jamal Malik is face to face with a defining moment in
his life. Soon, he will be asked a question that could earn him 20 million
rupees (about $400,000). He's a contestant on the Indian version of the game
show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and the funny thing is, Jamal
probably wouldn't raise his hand if a crowd of people was asked that very
question. But he is one correct answer away from a fortune, all the same.It is not the first defining moment for Jamal (Dev Patel). He grew up in the slums of Mumbai, like literally millions of others. He lived with his brother, always on the run, from an early age. He had been pimped out as a beggar by crooks and thugs, received no education, posed as a tour guide at the Taj Mahal to rook unsuspecting tourists into giving him their money, earned an honest living as a teenager washing dishes, stared down the barrel of a gun, saw things no child could be prepared for, and before arriving on the game show, served chai to call center employees. And yet, he did not go on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to become a millionaire; he did it for love.
There are two great narratives in Danny Boyle's latest film, Slumdog Millionaire. The first is this hero's journey from being an anonymous kid in the slums with no food, money, clothes, shelter, education, or parents to becoming something greater. It's not merely that he becomes great in the end, or even that becoming greater in the end is what he's pursuing, Jamal becomes greater with each of his defining moments, carefully constructed into what would otherwise be a very lethargic serve and volley between his past and his appearance on the game show.
There are similarities between this narrative and that of City of God, which is one of the great films of the past quarter century. That's not mimicry at work, but rather economics. There are slums in Mumbai and slums in Rio de Janeiro. Not every child born in the slums dies there. But it's not as easy as simply deciding to leave, either. Because of the cruel nature of the environment, there are some pretty horrific scenes in Slumdog Millionaire. They aren't violent and they aren't gruesome, but sometimes the worst horrors don't have to be.
Both Jamal and Latika are seen through flashbacks as young children and again in their early teens. At their youngest, they are portrayed by children from the slums, which gives the film a real immediacy and honesty. Indeed, because the children knew no English, the decision was made during production to make roughly half the film in Hindi. The upshot of that is Boyle's creation of the greatest subtitle work I've ever seen.
There are lots of little details you might miss because this story is so powerful and layered. I have had the benefit of seeing it multiple times, so I began to look for different things, and I can say, with a fair degree of certainty, that this is one of the best sounding films around. The music, by Indian legend A.R. Rahman, is more like a beautiful, aural fireworks show than a soundtrack. Many scenes are punctuated by terrific sound cues, everything from cell phones to door knocks to trains rushing out of the slums as fast as they can. The cinematography by Boyle vet Anthony Dod Mantle and Chris Dickens' decisive, fast-paced editing provide a great canvas for the sounds that propel the film.
The real triumph here, though, is Danny Boyle's. He is a unquestionably versatile director - Trainspotting, Millions, 28 Days Later, The Beach, and Sunshine do not share many similarities - and this is absolutely his best and most assured film. Without being conscious of the art, craft, and style, you're aware that you're watching a great piece of art and that it's no accident.
Remarkably, because Hollywood can be a cruel, cruel place, this film just narrowly escaped being thrown to the wolves as a DVD-only release. Slumdog was financed in part by Warner Independent Pictures, which was to distribute the film. But then Time-Warner-AOL decided to close down that operation, leaving this movie without a home. Less than three months ago, we weren't going to see it in theaters. Fortunately, audiences were afforded the chance to screen the film on the festival circuit in early September, and a People's Choice Award in Toronto probably saved the film, and we're the better for it.
And after all that, if you're still waiting to find out if Jamal wins the 20 million rupees, let me ask you: Does he really need to?
Reader Comments (12)
This film is a gem, a truly life-changing experience. Everyone should see this film at least twice.
This movie was fantastic. I hope it gets a larger theatrical release in a couple weeks... it definitely deserves it. Nice review, by the way.
I was fortunate enough to catch a free screening of this movie recently, and when I was walking out of the theater I felt like I had cheated the system somehow because this movie deserved my money more so than any other movie I have paid to see this year. Go see this movie, it is exceptional.
If your in the Phoenix Az area it plays at the scottsdale-harkins camel view 5 theater. I only say this because it took me more then 20 minutes to find a showtime anywhere on the web.
Wow! I am always on the lookout for your 5 damn dirty ape ratings. This is the first one of the year for you isn't it?
Yep. Two Five Apers a year is rare air, so we'll see.
Nicely written review. I truly loved this flick and am recommending it to anyone who will listen. 5 Damn Dirty Apes! Right on!
Slumdog Millionaire conjoins laughter and tears, bumbling con-artist kids
and television moguls into a pastiche of emotions to test the most self-controlled
viewer. To most American viewers, slums of such suffering and abuses (such as
blinding homeless children, so they may more easily yank the heart strings and
purse strings of potential donors), borders on a viewer's moral disgust.
That a young love, like the centerpiece amor of Slumdog Millionaire, can
persevere, through many trials and much unbearable suffering, spawns
compassion in even the hardest of hearts. For scriptwriters and directors to
avoid the pitfalls of melodrama adds our respect and our highest ratings.
Five Stars and no reservations!
Gattu
The Fiddler
Very true...I agree whole-heartedly with Colin, this movie gets better with each viewing...I watched it twice on free screenings, the second time was even better than the first. But now I'm seriously contemplating watching it a 3rd time as a PAID customer. This movie deserve my money more than any movie this year....it seems that after watching this film, anything that comes afterward doesn't seem to hold up; ie: Bolt, Seven Pounds, Day The Earth Stood Still, etc....
Slumdog Millionaire is as acerbic as it is clear-eyed about the brutal power dynamics in modern-day Mumbai. But, at the same time, what makes it so warming and what has been inspiring audiences all across the world to cheer at its rousing ending.
I agree with "This is not a ‘feel-good’ movie!” it is devastating sad to see what happens to the three central characters in their childhood. However there is a very happy ending. Love triumphs, this is a must see movie!
i have seen this movie atleast 5 times.this movie is incredible..........................................................
i request those people who not seen this movie go and see the movie...........................................
i think after this movie those slum children get a new turn in their life..............................................
we should see the movie and help them indirectley........................................................................
from,pintoo patel
RAJKOT.