Robin PottratzReview: Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" is a wonderful, beautiful triumph ***1/2 out of 4
January 16th 2009 20:31
Let me tell you about a film that features electric torture, child prostitutes, violent gangsters, and brutality against children...now would you believe that a film that contains all of those elements, would be able to emerge as one of the most triumphant and beautiful films of 2008? Can and does. Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire shimmers with vibrant colors, frenzied camera work and most importantly a story that will tug at your heartstrings, make you leave the theatre with a silly smile on your face, and give you the feeling that you have just seen something wonderful.
The film stars newcomer Dev Patel as Jamal, a slumdog from India who has found himself sitting in the hot seat on India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. He is one question away from winning the jackpot of 20 million rupees, but Jamal could care less about money. The true desire in Jamal's heart is the love of his life Latika, played by the beautiful Freida Pinto.
As stated before, Jamal is a poor kid from the slums of India...so how could he possibly know the answers to questions that would stump doctors and lawyers? He claims that he "just knows the answers." Nobody buys that answer...especially the show's host (a boorishly delightful Anil Kapoor) who gets a police captain (Irrfan Khan) to try to beat and torture the answering methods out of the young contestant.
Jamal's interrogation by the Captain provides the framework of the film. Jamal has not cheated on the game show...his life experiences have simply allowed him to know the answers. We hear Jamal's trials and tribulations...some delightful, as when he meets an Indian movie star while covered in feces...some heartbreaking, as when he witnesses his mother being killed in an anti-Muslim raid...some terrifying, as when he meets a stranger who intends to rob children of their sight in order for them to make money as street performers.
The true driving force in Jamal's life comes when he and his brother Salim (played in adulthood by the excellent Madhur Mittal) meet a girl named Latika who will be the most important figure in his life and source of his strength.
Truth be told, Slumdog Millionaire is not an easy film to digest right away. The first twenty minutes or so seem to be stuck on the launchpad. Once Jamal meets Latika, the rest of the film is smooth sailing. Both star crossed lovers take rough paths to try and find one another. Latika is forced to be a child prostitute and eventually become a plaything for the violent gangster Javed (Mahesh Manjrekar). As they grow up, Jamal's brother Salim becomes a violent, angry criminal who has taken a job with Javed after he prevents Jamal and Latika from reuniting and being together on several occasions.
As an adult, Jamal is working as a chai tea boy at a call center when he gets the idea to go on Millionaire in hopes that his beloved Latika may be watching.
In a film full of violence, heartbreak, and the wrongs of human beings...Director Danny Boyle ((28 Days Later, Trainspotting) allows for brief glimpses of love and joy to seep through and cut to the bone. The scene where Jamal and Latika reunite in Javed's house and embrace for the first time in what seems like an eternity will pierce your heart. It all builds to the inevitable climax which is a combination of suspense, shock, and undeniable joy.
Slumdog Millionaire is an achievement on many levels. For starters, the actors are pitch perfect. Dev Patel is absolutely wonderful as Jamal, capturing the hope and determination within the young slumdog's plight. Matching him step for step is Pinto who is a true beauty in every sense of the word. She could have played this as just a pretty face, but she brings the fear and pain when she believes that Jamal could be the love of her life.
However, this show belongs to Boyle. The director uses the colors and sights of India to give a picture of the third world that is simultaneously accurate and fantastic. After the tragedy in Mumbai, Slumdog Millionaire would seem to be the perfect movie at the perfect time. Boyle could have let this movie drift into TV melodrama land, but he doesn't...there is simply too much elation to be had.
Don't believe me?...I will tell you that Slumdog Millionaire contains so much happiness and joy that it ends with a Bollywood-esque dance number...that's right a dance number. Now there are better, more powerful films that were released in 2008...but there is none lovelier.
Dev Patel & Frieda Pinto raise "Slumdog Millionaire"
The film stars newcomer Dev Patel as Jamal, a slumdog from India who has found himself sitting in the hot seat on India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. He is one question away from winning the jackpot of 20 million rupees, but Jamal could care less about money. The true desire in Jamal's heart is the love of his life Latika, played by the beautiful Freida Pinto.
As stated before, Jamal is a poor kid from the slums of India...so how could he possibly know the answers to questions that would stump doctors and lawyers? He claims that he "just knows the answers." Nobody buys that answer...especially the show's host (a boorishly delightful Anil Kapoor) who gets a police captain (Irrfan Khan) to try to beat and torture the answering methods out of the young contestant.
Jamal's interrogation by the Captain provides the framework of the film. Jamal has not cheated on the game show...his life experiences have simply allowed him to know the answers. We hear Jamal's trials and tribulations...some delightful, as when he meets an Indian movie star while covered in feces...some heartbreaking, as when he witnesses his mother being killed in an anti-Muslim raid...some terrifying, as when he meets a stranger who intends to rob children of their sight in order for them to make money as street performers.
The true driving force in Jamal's life comes when he and his brother Salim (played in adulthood by the excellent Madhur Mittal) meet a girl named Latika who will be the most important figure in his life and source of his strength.
Truth be told, Slumdog Millionaire is not an easy film to digest right away. The first twenty minutes or so seem to be stuck on the launchpad. Once Jamal meets Latika, the rest of the film is smooth sailing. Both star crossed lovers take rough paths to try and find one another. Latika is forced to be a child prostitute and eventually become a plaything for the violent gangster Javed (Mahesh Manjrekar). As they grow up, Jamal's brother Salim becomes a violent, angry criminal who has taken a job with Javed after he prevents Jamal and Latika from reuniting and being together on several occasions.
As an adult, Jamal is working as a chai tea boy at a call center when he gets the idea to go on Millionaire in hopes that his beloved Latika may be watching.
In a film full of violence, heartbreak, and the wrongs of human beings...Director Danny Boyle ((28 Days Later, Trainspotting) allows for brief glimpses of love and joy to seep through and cut to the bone. The scene where Jamal and Latika reunite in Javed's house and embrace for the first time in what seems like an eternity will pierce your heart. It all builds to the inevitable climax which is a combination of suspense, shock, and undeniable joy.
Slumdog Millionaire is an achievement on many levels. For starters, the actors are pitch perfect. Dev Patel is absolutely wonderful as Jamal, capturing the hope and determination within the young slumdog's plight. Matching him step for step is Pinto who is a true beauty in every sense of the word. She could have played this as just a pretty face, but she brings the fear and pain when she believes that Jamal could be the love of her life.
However, this show belongs to Boyle. The director uses the colors and sights of India to give a picture of the third world that is simultaneously accurate and fantastic. After the tragedy in Mumbai, Slumdog Millionaire would seem to be the perfect movie at the perfect time. Boyle could have let this movie drift into TV melodrama land, but he doesn't...there is simply too much elation to be had.
Don't believe me?...I will tell you that Slumdog Millionaire contains so much happiness and joy that it ends with a Bollywood-esque dance number...that's right a dance number. Now there are better, more powerful films that were released in 2008...but there is none lovelier.
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