Slumdog Millionaire

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Directed By: Danny Boyle

Starring: Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor

Plot Synopsis:

Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”

But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show’s questions.

Intrigued by Jamal’s story, the jaded Police Inspector begins to wonder what a young man with no apparent desire for riches is really doing on this game show?

When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out… (Trailer Addict)

Review:

It’s not every day a movie with no stars and small budget has the success that Danny Boyle’s newest movie Slumdog Millionaire has had.  This film came out of nowhere, with very little marketing and is now winner of the coveted Best Picture Oscar (along with numerous more Oscars including Best Director for Danny Boyle).  Slumdog Millionare is one of the most memorable, beautiful and affecting movies I’ve seen in a long time.

The plot is a simple one: boy from the slums of India finds success on a game show and pursues the love of his life.  It’s Danny Boyle’s execution that makes this picture so stirring.  Telling this story through flashbacks was a brave choice and it makes Slumdog Millionaire much more interesting than what it sounds like on paper.  Honestly, when I read the synopsis I wasn’t running out to purchase a ticket.  But sitting in the theater, my jaw was on the floor.

Slumdog Millionaire has absolutely no stars.  No one we’re familiar with seeing in the hundreds of American movies that come out each year.  Because of this, we’re drawn into the story and become more invested in the characters.  Believe me, if Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt were cast in this movie, it would be a staggeringly different film.  All the performances are amazing.  Even the child actors are breathtaking.

Danny Boyle is showing some incredible chops as a director.  The variety he brings to each picture is refreshing.  He’s done a dark comedy (Trainspotting), a zombie movie (28 Days Later…), a family movie (Millions), compelling sci-fi (Sunshine), and now a stirring and uplifting drama with Slumdog Millionaire.  Movies like this don’t come along very often.  This is finally a Best Picture winner we’ll be remembering many years down the line.

Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and brief language.