Slumdog Millionaire Review

"Slumdog Millionaire" reviews

Movie

Slumdog Millionaire

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2009-05-19 20:55:06

Rating

4/5

Provider

CinemaSource

Review

In these tough economic times, let's hear it for Slumdog Millionaire , a winner in every way. It's the kind of rare and wonderful film that makes you feel like a million bucks.

Story

Based on the novel Q&A, this sharp adaptation tells the tale of a young man, Jamal Palik (Dev Patel), who becomes a contestant on the Indian version of the hit game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and ends up being accused of cheating. As we see him beaten into admitting that he "knew" the answers, the film darts back and forth in time to show how he came to this place and exactly where the truth lies. We see how Jamal and his brother Salim (Madhur Mittal), joined by their female friend Latika (Freida Pinto), grow up in one of the country's worst slums, where they must resort to a spree of petty crimes in order to survive. Later, we catch up with them in their teens, as they conduct tours of the Taj Mahal and make up tall tales for the unsuspecting visitors. Out of desperation their crimes get more intense, as Latika gets herself into big trouble. By the time we get to Jamal's appearance on the game show, it's clear he has learned what really counts, as the tension-driven sequences have him answering questions at a furious pace by the dubious quizmaster (Anil Kapoor).

Acting

Using a cast of largely unknown actors, director Danny Boyle has created an ensemble that exudes freshness and vitality. Outstanding performances come from all the kids, who play the main characters of Jamal, Latika and Salim at three different ages. They are countered by the adults in the story, who also make the most of their juicy roles -- particularly Indian superstar Anil Kapoor, playing the shady host of the game show. His scenes on set opposite Patel's 18 year-old Jamal are riveting and suspenseful beyond any thriller. Both actors play a telekinetic cat-and-mouse game with complete believability. Patel is terrific, a real find, as is the gorgeous Freida Pinto, as the older Latika. Equally effective is Madhur Mittal, as the crime-bent older Salim. Irrfan Khan as the determined inspector has his own intense moments while interrogating Jamal. Serious-minded movies rarely get to show off such talented younger actors, but Slumdog is virtually a treasure trove in this regard.

Direction

Danny Boyle's direction is vibrant, alive and pulsating with originality. This director has shown great aptitude for tackling all sorts of different genres from the dark, drug-filled Trainspotting to the light-hearted family fare Millions. He's even done zombies with 28 Days Later. With Slumdog, the Brit tackles a completely foreign culture to his own and effortlessly engages us in the plight of these characters. The filmmaking is crisp and cutting-edge, with an array of colors and editing choices that put us smack into the center of the story. Cutting back and forth seamlessly between the game show tapings and the flashbacks, slowly filling in the answers to Jamal's ultimate fate, Boyle has crafted a completely original movie-going experience. Ending it all on an upbeat note, there's a great Bollywood-type pop number that ranks as the best musical sequence we've seen on film all year. You are guaranteed to leave the theater on a high.

Bottom Line

Hollywood.com rated this film 4 stars.

Movie

Slumdog Millionaire

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2009-01-09 13:00:16

Provider

MRIB

Review

A slumdog is a kid of the streets - in this case from the slums of Mumbai. So how can he be one question away from becoming the winner of India's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? TV Show? It could win him 10 Million rupees. Is that enough for him to reach out for the hand of the girl he loves?

Jamal and his brother Salim are left as orphans after a violent clash between Hindus and Muslims on the backstreets of Mumbai's slums. Years later Jamal has managed to reach the final question on the hit game show that could make him rich beyond his dreams. But suspicions about his ability to have got so far leads to the police wanting a word or two (and the rest!) with him. They are interested in finding out how he knows the answers, before he can rejoin the show the following night for the final 'all or nothing' question!

Boyle's film of a sterling Simon 'Full Monty' Beaufoy script (itself adapted from Swarup's novel) is a visual feast that thrusts you into the intoxicating world of Salim and Jamal. It's brutal, violent, endearing and loving - all within seconds of each other. Boyle's action-packed film tells the story behind Jamal's ability to answer the tense questioning of the quizmaster and the cops. In doing so he relays to us Jamal's troubled and edge of danger upbringing, along with the love/hate relationship with his brother Salim and their childhood friend Latika.

A riotous performance from it's multi-aged leads are perfect to a tee and, with Boyle's talent for framing and storytelling, they sear images into your brain that will stick with you long after the enchanting closing titles. With shock and romance in equal measure this is a film for the 21st century www world. It proves we're all far more similar than we are different.

Fantastic fun and a riveting rollercoaster-ride of a movie. Every year a movie released in January gets named as a potential 'film of the year'. For once here's a film that may prove to be deserving of the accolade.

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