Review of Slumdog Millionaire (2008) by Matt F — 12 Jul 2012

"Slumdog Millionaire", Danny Boyle's sweeping love-story-disguised-as-a-thriller, was undoubtedly (remember the 9 Oscar wins?) the best film of 2008. The story follows Jamal (Dev Patel), an orphaned child of the streets who has found himself on the verge of winning the jackpot on India's version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (opposite the show's deliciously dubious host, played by Bollywood star Anil Kapoor).

Only problem is the local authorities think he cheated his way there, so they're after him. Oh, and his violent brother Salim (Madhur Mittal) has a large sector of the Indian underworld nipping at his heels.

And, of course, Jamal's only doing this in the hopes of landing the lost-her-found-her girl of his dreams (Freida Pinto). It sounds pretty standard, but Boyle and his crew attack the material in such a way that it not only freshens it up, but serves up the typical man-against-the-world story in a style that hasn't really been seen before or since.

It's wonderfully acted, as well as beautifully photographed against a lot of gritty Mumbai scenery. Finally, if the movie doesn't totally charm the pants off of you (and trust me, it will), then stay after the credits for a Bollywood dance number that will leave that smile glued to your face long after the images fade.

"Slumdog" is a must-see, possibly more than once.