Review of Slumdog Millionaire (2008) by Stefan G — 23 Mar 2013

Man, I found the structure of this film repetitive and increasingly wearying. Unlike most of Danny Boyle's films, the visual style here felt muddy and jarring in some sections too. Much has been made of the marketing of this film ("feel good film of the year") versus the actual product - poverty, child abuse, murder, torture.

And yet it always feels as though the horrific situations and atrocities committed are too far removed - something about the stylisation and structure creates an artifice that makes it difficult to invest in the central characters, despite excellent performances.

There is much here that does work and the first 40 minutes - before the contrivances become too much - are gripping. But really, this wasn't one of the best films of its year and it's one of Danny Boyle's least interesting projects.