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Director: Danny Boyle
Dharavi boy Jamal Malik, server of ‘chai’, keeper of secrets, is one of the wise. He’s learnt his wisdom on the streets, and he uses it to become a millionaire.
Director Danny Boyle takes the bare bones of Vikas Swarup’s novel, and turns the film into an electric, visceral, kinetic feast, and an all-get-out entertainer. ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is ‘Salaam Bombay’ on speed. Only it’s called Mumbai now.
Blood, sweat, tears. And that other bodily fluid—shit— that no one likes to acknowledge, least of all mainstream meisters. Danny Boyle uses these elemental qualities to construct call centre ‘chaipau’ Jamal ( Dev Patel) , and his ‘bizarrely plausible’ ( in the delightful phrase of one of the characters) world, constantly teetering on the edge of collapse, constantly being shored by the grit and gumption of those who live in it. And gives us an unlikely hero who is a metaphor for our times. Yes, Jamal can.
So can Latika ( Freida Pinto), his childhood sweetheart, who is also a product of the same sewage and lineage that he and his brother Salim come from. Their journey to young adulthood, fraught with many dangers, is not new for those who’ve seen Bollywood’s tryst with slum-homeless kids being blinded and maimed by beggar cartels is one of Hindi cinema’s oldest saddest tales, along with fresh virgins being readied to be deflowered by the highest bidder. Boyle invests old tropes with a welcome matter-of-factness, and is willing to learn on the job : his inordinate glee at showing his young urchin wallowing in human excrement is overtaken by Jamal’s unchecked exuberance - the slumdog conquers both the smell and the moment.
When he first opens his mouth, the UK based ‘desi’ debutant Dev Patel seems all wrong, because of his clipped cadences. But almost immediately he settles into his groove, and, along with the marvellous young kids who play the leads’ younger selves, grows into being the film’s high point : Jamal is vulnerable yet strong, the fragile skin peeling off to reveal the steel underneath. Pinto is real, and keeps him able company. Irrfan Khan and Saurabh Shukla as the hectoring cops, and Mahesh Manjrekar as the brutal ‘bhai’, fit right in. Anil Kapoor, as the devious host of the game-show, turns in one of his most vivid, precise performances. And A R Rahman’s score is a triumph.
The romance and rags-to-riches story of a Mumbai slum dweller comes to India via it’s meteoric sweep of the world, having ratcheted up applause and awards at break-neck speed. ( Last evening, it was nominated for 10 Oscar awards, including three for A R Rahman, one for Resul Pookutty for Best Sound Design, and the three biggies - Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay).
The fact that it has a director ( Boyle), screenplay writer ( Simon Beaufoy) and producer (Christian Colson) owing allegiance to the West could have made this is a bloodless, distanced copy of a fun book, but one look at ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, and you know that its spirit and soul is flagrantly, proudly Indian : the Empire has been finally, overwhelmingly trounced.
It’s not about poverty pornography. It’s not about a White guy showing us touchy Brown-skins squatting by the rail-tracks. In the end, it’s just about a film, which sweeps you up and takes you for an exhilarating ride on the wild side. Jai Ho.
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Totally good
Yes it is a tremendous movie which was loved by everybody during we were watching it.It can not be compared with any other film.It is a real fantastic experince itself to watch the movie....I love it.............
Slumdog was good but so much to win an oscar or rather 8 oscars.We accept that the music was fantastic ,it was the finest composition of Rehman, but the movie is not likely for EIGHT oscars.
Slumdog was good but not so much to win the oscar or rather 8 oscars.
iLOVE THAT ............
This is a nice movie .I enjoyed it .It shows the critical position of the indian slums.AR Rahman's music is one of the highlight in the movie. Some questions arrived in my mind after watching this film.IS the position of the street chidren will be in the same way forever.Who is the person to change the fate of them.Can anyone answer these questions.
the movie is total shit , theres nothing good which could win it an oscar . this movie is made just to portray bad image of india! ridiculous , not atall good for kids to watch
My first reaction when I watched SlumDog Millionaire was that it only highlights the plight of the people of modern India. It is a case of good concept but poor selection of clips. When a movie wins Oscars people all go gaga. They praise the film and shower praises. Even bollywood stars have come to praise the film after the award. Surprise! Surprise. The bottom line is Danny Boyle's has cashed on starvation, genocide, child prostitution and overwhelming oppression. Well done.Would there be the same reaction if the movie did not win an award? The government of India must have a committee to screen movies that are shot in India. It must be assessed by specialists and then granted permission for release.Director Priyadarshan is one of them who has correctly hit the nail on the head.
Criticism aside, Slumdog Millionaire is a hard-hitting film for an average Indian. We always knew the truth, but couldn’t care less. Danny Boyle has just shown us the mirror. And yes we are embarrassed. The movie is really important for the people of India. It makes you feel sorry for yourself, for the feeling of helplessness. We are proud to be Indians but don’t know how to help other Indians struggling with everyday of their lives. I strongly feel everyone can contribute in his or her own way. Each one of us has been blessed with abilities, but most of us tend to leave it unexplored. All that we need is this ‘WILL to SHARE’.So the next time you see street children, don’t limit yourself to that leftover food or cold drink. Initiative should not be limited to NGOs. Perhaps small, neighbourhood groups for a start. Lets try getting them to schools, RWAs can create small shelters and fund their food. Individuals can contribute clothes. Lets at least start from somewhere.
i loved it...it's a movie...sit back and relax...finally a movie about India with strond direction, a great DP and a beautiful story....have you not heard of artistic license? Bollywood films are pure drivel...over the hill, over the top actors with no real talent (except for a handful like Amir Khan) and usually the same old crap...Slumdog was pure entertainment and a real feel good story. Danny Boyle has a keen eye and an artistic vision. A.R. Rahman was a perfect choice for the music. Paper Planes during the train scene was brilliant. OK so Dev Patel was slightly wooden, but the 2 youngk ids werer the heart and soul of this film. 4.5 stars for this one!
Film is good....but, I was terribly hurt. A foreign film maker should be sensitive not to project the negetive aspect of the country he does not belong to. Will Danny go to the queen's palace to make a movie on unethical and immoral lifestyle of the royals? Such a movie would probably bring them more awards. But, will he get himself do it, and will his countrymen and establishment allow?
Did you see Boyle's film Trainspotting? It's about the drug scene in Edinburgh, Scotland? No need to be defensive. Boyle is not trying to paint all of India one colour. He has an artistic interest in telling the stories of those living on the edge of society, whatever country they are from.
No matter what I say, people are liking or even loving this movie. Fair enough. Personally, I hated this movie.. absolutely. Not because it portrayed India in a bad light.. no... that is reality, we all know that. It was just a bad film. The 'fantastic' camera angles were real bad, the acting, except for the youngest kids, was terrible. Dev Patel can't act.. Period. He just hung around with a puppy dog expression.. Hell! he spoke with a Scottish accent. In all my 24 years, I have never, never come across any slum kid who can speak English with an American accent as the middle-segment kids. Anil Kapoor was way over the top, AR Rahman's music, though the brightest point of the movie, was not memorable, He's done waaayyyy better and not got anything for it. Lagaan was a way, way better film than this and got zilch for itself. We are stuck in a post-colonial hangover that makes us appreciate whatever a white man does. Come on, the 70's Manmohan Desai films were way more entertaining.
Slumdog Millionaire has everything negative about India in it. Note: 1. Corrupt and insensible policemen 2. Traffic jams and chaotic way of life 3. Irresponsible call centre employees (notice how an employee hands over his seat to the canteen boy) 4. No data security in call centres (the canteen boy has access to all the data) 5. The guy is so emotional about Latika but shows no emotion whatsoever when his mother dies 6. Riots in the name of god 7. Blinding and maiming of children 8. Begging mafia 9. Underworld out there to recruit any kid with a gun 10. No moral values (elder brother rapes the younger one's love interest on gun point) 11. No talent, all luck (that is what makes the protagonist answer all questions) 12. Even the KBC Show host Anil Kapoor is dishonest, unemotional and egoistic sadist 13. Recall the scene where US tourists' cab is looted in a slum and the guide says this is real India. The driver starts beting the boy but the US woman saves him
Lots of pseudopatriotic Indians seem to to be stung to their innermost guts by this movie, which accentuates what fake mania they want to live in. India is this.. India is that...This GDP.. this percentage required to catch up with china...BS. C'mon folks your hollow pride shouldn't blind you so much that for you morons, the other side of a coin ceases to exist! Did your Gandhi teach you to shut your eyes ears and mouths towards the slums? people in them? Against reality? Growth of a country doesn't mean just growth of handful of your Ambanis and Tatas or some 'British' Mittal fellow you tend to believe is your citizen. Besides the movie is such an awesome piece of art, how many of your kasautis and Amitabh Bachchan movies have been appreciated? How many of the oscars have your crap bollywo brought home, or even knocked at the doors of it?
5) “Darshan Do Ghanshyam” is NOT written by Surdas. It is written by Gopal Singh Nepali for the movie Narsi Bhagat (1957). This song is also credited as traditional and originally written by 15th century poet Narsi Mehta, whose life that film is based on.6) The greatest flaw in the storyline is that programmes like 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' and 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' are NOT telecast live. As a result the entire structure of the film becomes unrealistic. For a film that boasts of being realistic such a flaw cannot be overlooked.
so funny story, i ask all most 20 american people, the question of ' $100.00 bill's pic'..and guess what...not one of them knew the answer...and i thoght that slumdog who has never study american history...knows the answer...the fact is indai still has stuff that movie has shown..no issue with that..and the other fact is the most expensive house on this EaRth is on the same city mubai of mr. anil ambani worth of $1 Billion us dollar..that's all the fact...so look at bright side....
Hmm can i just point out films such as trainspotting, this is england, american history X. which point out the crime, violence, and general bad nature of Western countries. Portraying countries' negative aspects can often add to the effect of a film. Just because this film involved India, it does not necesserily mean India is a bad place. It is, much like any other country in the world, a place with good and bad people, slums and prosperous neighbourhood. It iis starting to become quite boring and predictable that Indians are shouting hate crimes at the first possible opportunity!
Went to see this film at the weekend and was blown away by it ! Boyle's movies always focus on the struggle that some people have in the their lives and the pain and sometimes dark humour that is born out of difficult situations. At then end of the day though it is only a story, that potray's how out of great adversity and struggle some people make it through to brighter times. There are sinister underworlds in all countries and there are always people who will exploit the weak and needy.I thought the film was one rollercoaster ride ,full of tension,colour and exhilirating music. Perhaps people are uncomfortable looking at the poor and the conditions they have to live in, even if it is just a story...the same way we turn away or cross the road if we see a tramp begging in the street...if we turn away perhaps in our minds we think it won't exsist!
Slumdog Millionaire is a beautiful movie, beautifully made....and the movie winning all oscar nominations shud not come as a surprise but shud be seen as a logical reward to this well deserved craft........ but...... We have had so many movies made in india which were as beautiful as Slumdog if not better but because of lack of international exposure and awareness were not given the credit they were worth..... I hope this movie helps in creating a global interest in Indian cinema and if you loved Rahman, you would also love Lata Mangeshkar or Aamir Khan and many other jewels in Indian entertainment industry..
Well it was unfortunate that Indians like me could legally see the movie after two months of suspense. I chose not to watch the pirated version of a masterpiece its an insult to the artist. I take pride in all those who were directly or indirectly related to India. I salute the spirit of Mumbai so beautifully captured by Danny. Hats off to him. I saw the paid preview on 22nd Jan and really believe all those who say it shows India has been shown in the wrong light its wrong. It has shown the hope and happiness that Indians live with inspite of everything they have faced in life. Only thing I felt the movie was almost in Hindi , Marathi with few sub titles to help a Non Indian. Well the way it is being taken overseas I am people are defenitely able to understand the human emotions of hope and victory , the eternal optimistism and a love affair falling for....
well,believe it or not ,after reading about slumdog for ages,and all that hype and publicity over such a long time-when I actually sat down to watch this piece of brilliant filmaking, well, I was .......underwhelmed,is the only word I can think of.Why did it feel like I had seen it before?In the movie hall,there were no real oohs or aahs amongst the audience-yes it was riveting,yes it was dramatic though implausible-but why was I left unemotional,unexcited,and strangely detached-maybe its the mid life crisis !No I no why and this may seem unfair , but Salaam Bombay is the film my mind keeps wandering back to;the emotional rawness of Mira Nairs film is a decade or so later ,still has the power to move ,Im lucky enough to have a copy on dvd;Slumdog Millionaire may yet win all the oscars BUT a good film ? Certainly. A GREAT film....NO.
Would you Indians please stop with the "This movie depicts India in a bad light" crap?Here's a news flash: WE'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE BACKDROP.I'm an American from (near) Hollywood. I saw this movie and what I saw was a wonderful, uplifting fairy tale with a happy ending that was very feel-good and life-affirming. Set against a backdrop of impoverished circumstances, yes. But we are not sitting in the theater thinking "Oh God India looks so bad!". We are thinking "What a wonderful story!". Please - stop focusing on the background - we are focusing on the foreground. Can't you be happy that this film has been so rapturously received around the globe? Your petty bickering only makes you look bad to the rest of the world. As another poster adroitly pointed out - it's a fictitious movie, not a bloody documentary!
Except few moron, most Indians don't care what outsiders think of India. And NO, Indians are not happy about a white Brit making movie depicting Indian problems. Let him go and live in Mumbai for 20 years and there won't be any complains. Meera Nair's Salaam Bombay was a more realistic capture of these issues. Why did that not turn out to be an Oscar favorite.....because she was not white. I am sure if an Indian made this movie no Westerner would have cared to watch it.
1)Danny Boyle has made this movie for pure business...neither to highlight poverty of India nor for a noble cause for slum people of India.2)We Indians are focusing on background of the movie whereas I hope rest of the world would be focusing on the foreground and fairy tale of the movie with a perfect happy ending.3)It has shown the hope and happiness that Indians live with inspite of everything they have faced in life.4)Anand: Mira Nair's Saalam Bombay and Ashutosh Gowariker's Lagaan though could not win the academy awards but made it to the oscar's nomination in foreign language category.If they care to watch those movies and give recognition, why they wont do the same for SM if it wud hv been made by an Indian director.5)Finally my personal opinion abt the movie:It's beautifully made, gud film, worth to watch.
If Danny Boyle made this for pure business why choose India's bad side alone? Lets get an Indian Director to go in Scotland to portray atrocities from royal family in the past or visit Harlem in NYC about vagabond kids life in mafia and and shoot a movie. Let make a point to "shoot only for business"? Would Brits or Americans accept that? Most would reply "No!" "why?". Cause Brits and Americans always need to have "feel good factor". Why is India addressed as "Third World Country"? Have US or Britain fallen on the earth from Saturn?
So many Indian people are saying things like "This film is all about depicting India in a bad light".Please, just STFU.I'm a Westerner (not English) - from Hollywood.You people need to see how non-Indians see this film.I saw a beautiful fairy tale with an uplifting message and an ending that brought a smile to my face.While it was set against a backdrop of poverty for most of the film, I did not sit there thinking "Oh dear, India is so impoverished, this film is really depicting it in a bad light".Here's a news flash: Most of us already know that there is a lot of poverty in India. I have seen plenty of pictures, thanks.This movie is like a camera with an adjustable focus - we in the West have been focused on the characters and the foreground, and the backdrop is the slightly blurry depth-of-field. Too many Indians seem to be focusing on the background and ignoring the foreground story and fairy tale.
I am not really sure why lots of you are upset? The movie consists of an amazing score, wonderful energy and perfect ending. Poverty is the FACT. Brutality with kids is heart wrenching but is the FACT. Slums are FACT. Why don’t you take this movie as an honest criticism and do something ABOUT it?
The Movie shows the each side of TWO INDIA.
It is a great service to the poor that the film projects the poverty of India and the unprivileged children.Poverty is a TRUTH we are living with, although after so many years of independence.The sufferance of the lowest of the lowest.There are surely people who do not want to see that, i.e the privileged ones whose stomachs are full and their children going to the private schools.Hiding behind their egoism, they are the false patriots without feeling for anyone except for themselves.Rabindranath Tagore wrote:" God is sitting with the lowest of the lowest".Although late and very late, let India wake up to see the downtrodden and their hardships! Our rich with their sealed hearts will not see them, but my hearty congratulations to the foreign director who has seen them.
We do not need a foreign movie to make us understand and realize our hardships! The filmmakers made the movie for profits at the expense of India's pride and honour. The scene that shows the young boy plunge into the toilet pit and then emerge out to see his favourite star - running through the crowd all covered with the filth from toilet pit seems to have been done with contempt and it shows the level to which the movie producer and director have sunk to to depict India's people in a totally perverse manner. The scene was totally unwarranted. It speaks volumes about the filmmakers' attitude towards India and her people. I am sure they know that India has much better things to show than urban slums, poverty and police atrocities. Its a shame on them!!!
I agree with you Amar. The sad part of the situation is that Many Indians have made similar movies just to make a buck. It is all about making money at the expense of some country. Would these directors make such movie about Israel or America or Britain? British have done enough torture around the world on name of their morality.