Review of Slumdog Millionaire (2008) by Seth Y — 09 Apr 2013

Absolute perfection! Watching movies like this is why I love cinema. Normally I don't buy into the hype surrounding a lot of films, but I can safely say that Slumdog Millionaire is one of the best I have ever seen. I'd be lying if I said I didn't shed a tear.

When he's one question away from a record amount of money on India's "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?", 18 year old Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) is detained by authorities and accused of cheating. An orphan from the slums of Mumbai, Jamal is desperate to prove his innocence. By recounting the events of his life in flashbacks, he is able to describe in detail how he knew the answer to each question.

Director Danny Boyle has a nice track record, but he really knocks it out of the park here. There is such a unique style, providing a truly stunning visual experience. I don't have enough good things to say about the acting. Dev Patel, as well as Freida Pinto as the love interest, are both fantastic. Really though, credit is due everywhere, especially for the outstanding child actors. There was a lot to fit into the 2 hour run-time, but the film is paced perfectly and left me completely satisfied. Slumdog Millionaire is a cinematic achievement and a true masterpiece. I'm so glad this won Best Picture! 5 stars.