Review of 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Jamal K. Malik (played by Dev Patel) is a “slumdog” - born and raised in the slums of Mumbai who defies the odds to appear on the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” The movie follows his progress through each question and we learn, through a brutal interrogation session with the police who suspect him of cheating, that he knows the answers not through education but rather through hard-earned experience. It is particularly poignant to watch the tragedy of the young innocents thrown into crime and violence – their “adoption” by a group who mutilate and control children in a street begging ring is…simply…incredible. His story is desperately sad and depressing yet twinged with joy including his love of Latika, who seems always to be denied to him. Each level adds a complexity to the story that truly draws in the viewer. Heart rending but also heart warming at the same time as Jamal overcomes the odds but also manages to find a degree of happiness in his hopeless situation…

If you haven't seen it, you should. Well directed and well acted.

(A bit of a spoiler, here, so don't read on if you don't want to know) The credit “bollywood” scene is a bit odd but does leave the audience with a bit of relief from much of the depressing aspect of the film.

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”

Review Date: 2010-05-29

Directed by: Danny Boyle

Studio: Celador Films

Year: 2008

Length: 120 minutes

Genre: Melodrama

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1010048/

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