Love and money... You have mixed them both.
Rating: 9/10
Running Time: 120 minutes
US Certificate: 15 UK Certificate: R
Every year, it seems like theres some movie that comes out of nowhere and starts winning awards, everyone calling it the little movie that could. I heard it with Little Miss Sunshine a few years ago, with Juno last year, and now, this year, the little movie seems to be Slumdog Millionaire. With all kinds of accolades already piling up, not the least of which is a Best Picture nod from the Golden Globes, its good to know that the added buzz will mean more viewers will get to see the film, which means more people are going to walk out of theaters happy.
Happy wouldnt be your first thought, however, judging from the first several minutes of the movie. Eighteen-year-old Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) is being torturedseems everyone thinks he cheated in the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Through a series of flashbacks and memories, it becomes clear that his life as an uneducated slumdog living on the streets with only his brother Salim and friend Latika has given him the answers. And as he prepares to defend his honorand go for the grand prizethe entire country waits in anticipation.
The weird thing about this film is that even though its harsh at times, theres an underlying sense of joy. Credit goes to Danny Boylethe man has range (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Sunshine)and he handles this movie deftly, never exploiting Indias poverty or glossing over it, instead crafting a narrative that is simply about life. It also must be said that while Patel and his current age counterparts excel, the children portraying Young Jamal and Young Salim, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, are the movies heart. Theres a lot that happens in this film, but with all the game show action and the running from criminals going on, Slumdog Millionaire is a simple, beautiful love story. Jamal loves Latika, and years nor crooks can keep him from her. Without being sappy, its a universal tale that couldve been set any time, anywherebut theres definitely something about THIS time and place that add to the magic.
So, if youre lucky enough to get this movie at a theater near you, run and see it before it disappearsitll make you want to dance.
It's Got: Spectacular younger actors, an uplifting story, and simple, unabashed love.
It Needs: More people to see it.
Summary
Haunting and happy all wrapped into one, this love story deserves all the praise its getting and more.