Review: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

[Homer Yen]

"Slumdog Millionaire" - An Enjoyment of Riches

"Slumdog Millionaire" hits the ground running and even though most
trailers show that the film revolves around the ubiquitous
multiple-choice game show, it's certainly a whole lot more. The
trailer is actually almost unfairly lighthearted and syrupy given how
gripping the journey of two brothers (Jamal and Salim) from the slums
of Mumbai is.  It's 20% "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"; 30% "Oliver
Twist"; and 50% "City of God".

Through luck or destiny, Jamal eventually winds up on the popular game
show, and having the game show as the backdrop is very smart.  First,
it is a point of reference that everyone can relate to.  Even though
this is a foreign film (half of it is in English and half of it is in
Hindi with subtitles) virtually everyone has seen Who Wants to Be a
Millionaire.  As a side note, apparently India's version is much
tougher to play as the host is somewhat sinister and a wrong question
causes the contestant to lose everything (instead of falling to some
pre-determined amount of walk-away money).

Meanwhile, as the host asks Jamal each esoteric question, the film
cuts away to his past, enlightening us on how Jamal came to know these
answers.  And it's not like Jamal spent his time getting good grades
in school and hanging out at the library.  The opening third of the
film is heart-wrenching as we see both the elementary-school aged
Jamal and Salim survive the squalid and brutal conditions of the
slums.  Thanks to some great cinematography and a pulsating
soundtrack, the slums give you a sense of awe as much as it does a
sense of revulsion.  Indeed, Act I is the strongest.

The film follows the journey of these two brothers.  They
escape/travel across India.  They meet vicious gangs.  The two are
extremely enterprising as they slowly accumulate wealth.  They advance
in their affluence.  Their adventures bring them close to death many
times and Jamal is saved frequently by Salim.  But Salim is
simultaneously a guardian and antagonist, rueful and selfish.  Most
hurtful is Salim's betrayal against Latika, the girl that Jamal loves.
 The film loses its footing somewhat in Act II as the brother's
differences force each to go in a different direction.  It was much
more kinetic when it was the two of them working together against the
cruel world.  However, the love story that emerges is bittersweet
given the against-all-odds scenario.  Act III brings it all together
as the destinies of the Jamal, Salim, and Latika come to its
conclusion.

"Slumdog Millionaire" crackles with energy.  It's a film that
surprises us with its relentless tenacity while it inspires us with
its story of dogged determination.  Here's a show not to be missed.
So, what makes "Slumdog Millionaire" one of year's best?
a) It's a penetrating rags-to-riches story
b) It's a compelling against-all-odds story
c) It's an unlikely love story
d) It's a wholly different movie experience

Pick any of these choices as your final answer, and you you'd be right.

Grade:	A-

S:	2 out of 3
L:	0 out of 3
V:	2 out of 3