After a month off, I hope to try and keep the reviews coming now, and will endeavour to catch up on ...
After a month off, I hope to try and keep the reviews coming now, and will endeavour to catch up on reading as many reviews as I missed. Reads always returned :)
Member since:31.01.2009
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I often find that when a film has had a lot of hype, by the time I get around to watching it I find it inevitably disappointing, this has happened with no end of films, such as ‘Borat’ which after a month or so in the cinema, I ventured to see it, only to have heard half the jokes, and found it mediocre at best. So I was quite worried about watching ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.
It had received great reviews, and managed to scoop up 8 Oscar’s, 4 Golden Globes and 7 BAFTA’s, all in all it was supposed to be a great film to see. It was released in the cinemas at the beginning of January, so I thought it was about time to see if it was as good as everyone was saying, or whether I would be disappointed.
Main Cast
Dev Patel – as Jamal Malik Madhur Mittal – Salim Malik Freida Pinto – Latika Anil Kapoor - Prem Kuma
Most notably from the main cast is of course, Dev Patel, who played Anwar in Skins.
The Plot
The film follows Jamal Malik as he battles his way through the Indian version of the famous ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’. It opens with Jamal being interrogated by police over alleged cheating on the programme, after he has managed to make his way through to the penultimate question, and so far scooped up Rs 10,000,000 – half of the total prize money. With one question to go, they are wandering how an uneducated boy from the slums could possibly know the answers.
The police
have the video of last nights show, and want to know how he knew the answers, expecting him to slip up, give in and reveal that he has been cheating, and so the film progresses, with Jamal explaining how each question’s answer was taught to him through his experiences in life.
My Opinion
Admittedly I was sceptical about the film, I didn’t expect anything great, and had it not been for the hype it received, I would probably never have bothered watching it. First thing I noticed, was that it wasn’t the story line I had expected. Initially I thought that it would follow what Jamal did after winning, that it would show a crazed party, followed by him seeking out some long lost part of his past, there be a bit of a rupture where he wishes he didn’t have the money, some dramatic scene and then everything would absolve, leaving a happy ending.
But no, as you see from the plot summary, it wasn’t like that at all, and all the better for it.
I was confused in the opening scenes, watching Jamal being interrogated in a rather, “lethal weapon” style, which I thought was a bit of a strange opening for what I had been expecting – but thought, “they must be trying to steal his money, or hold him ransom”. It was then that it panned back to his childhood, and the slums, showing the plight of India’s poorest, which was to be honest, pretty amazing. The cinematography was some of the best, and most noticeable I have seen in a film, where I actively thought “now that is a good shot”.
The plot unravelled in a very unpredictable way, I think in the whole film there was one bit that I knew what would happen – the rest kept me on the edge of my seat – something I did not expect. The film was enthralling, it led the viewer on, what would happen next, how will he get out of that one, it kept me watching, kept me engaged.
The story of Jamal’s life was interesting, and in parts made me laugh – if you have seen the film you will know what scenes I mean, and if you watch it you’ll see too!
Each question was answered because Jamal had some sort of experience which taught him that, from who was on the back of the American $100 bill, to the name of the 3rd musketeer, and the experiences were, in parts, captivating.
I do not know how true to life in the slums the film actually is, for all I know it is completely wrong and exaggerated, but it was certainly thought provoking, the extreme poverty and the way they lead their lives in stark contrast to western ideas of “slums”.
The only downside some people might find is that in parts the film is in Hindi (I think that’s the one), and so has subtitles, but personally this didn’t bother me in the slightest and added to the reality of the film.
So it won eight Oscars, but did it deserve them?
1) Best Picture
Out of the nominees, which included ‘Curious case of Benjamin Button’, Slumdog definitely deserved to win, it is a very good film, and is both entertaining and enlightening.
2) Best Director
Danny Boyle, who has also directed films such as ‘Trainspotting’ and ‘28 Days Later’ has created another great film, the overall feel of the film is perfect and has been very well directed.
3) Best Adapted Screenplay
For those who don’t know (which included me until I read Wikipedia) the film is based upon the book – “Q & A”, by Vikas Swarup. The film differs slightly, with Salim being Jamals brother (in book is best friend), Jamal’s name (in the book he is Ram Mohammed Thomas) and the early life, which in the book sees Jamal raised in an orphanage, and was adopted by a Christian Priest. In my opinion the changes in the story have made the film so much stronger than it would have been – so definitely deserves this Oscar!
4) Best Cinematography
As I said, the shots of life in the slums were amazing, the films cinematography is second to none, and it conveyed life in the slums incredibly well!
The other 4, I didn’t really notice, so can’t really comment on, but out of the other nominees I don’t think I would have any opinion. The other 4 Oscar’s in won were:
Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing.
Final Cut
I had low expectations for the film, I thought that due to the hype it wouldn’t be as good as everyone made out, but I can sincerely say I was wrong, it was a great film. While it may not appeal to everyone, it is certainly a film I would recommend. The plot is clever, unpredictable and enthralling, and the acting is very good. I was worried that I would constantly be thinking of “Anwar from Skins” every time I saw Dev Patel but he played a very different character, and completely removed previous connotations I had about him.
Go and see the film in the cinema, it is definitely worth the money, however it isn’t necessary, and I suppose you could wait until it is out on DVD.
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Borat? God help you! As far as this film and your review of it are concerned, spot on young man! Throw away any pre-concieved ideas before going to see it and yes, it is a masterful film, which I found an education in a sense. Richard.
Winner of 8 Acadamy Awards and 7 Baftas including Best Film and Best Director. Today is ... more
the biggest day in Jamal Malik's life. A Penniless eighteen year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai he's one question away from winning a staggering 20 million...
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Advantages: Quite thrilling, seemed pretty realistic, interesting characters, good performances, Disadvantages: Jamal maybe a little too much of a 'goody goody', subtitles might put some people off
IzzyS 20.12.2009 (20.12.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Slumdog Millionaire
Advantages: Good soundtrack, Dev Patel is excellent, story told in a good way Disadvantages: Some scenes were upsetting and disturbing, doesn't live up to the hype
mummy2harry 05.10.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Slumdog Millionaire
Advantages: Thought-provoking, shocking at times... thoroughly entertaining. Disadvantages: Doesn't make India look good... the people are depicted rather harshly.
GoFigure 29.10.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Slumdog Millionaire
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