in Review

Jamal Gump

Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire has been compared on several occasions to the classic Forest Gump, and with some justification. Both are stories of someone born into poor conditions who manages to see the world and make something of themselves. But our hero Jamal is no simpleton, and his story a lot more believable.

The film opens with a juxtaposition: Jamal being tortured by the police and, ealier, Jamal on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? The police want to know how somebody from the slums of Mumbai could perform so well on the quiz show. Jamal responds by telling the story of his life, and how lessons he learned growing up gave him the answers he needed. His story is not an easy one to hear, his brother Salim, his friend Latika and he had hard lives. As they grew up, so did the city. And there’s plenty of betrayl and violence along the way.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say this film is exceptionally clever or pioneering, but the simple story is interesting enough. The characters are all quite compelling and easy to get behind. What is most striking about the film is its portrayal of India itself, it is shown as a beautiful, yet horrible place. Over the course of Jamal’s 20 years, we see everything from massacres and Internet cafes. We see Mumbai develop into a full blown modernized city. And what a time for that.

The cinematography, editing, and music keep the movie driving forward at all times. The movie never lingers too long or tells more than it needs to. Danny Boyle is even successful at keeping the moments that need to be tense tense, even on the game show when we know the outcome. That’s quite an achievement.

Honestly, this is simply an engaging film. Most people will have a hard time not liking it. It is pretty foreign, but I’d like to believe somehow it could get some recognition come Oscar season. It’s that good. This is not to be missed.

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