Slumdog Millionaire is the perfect blend of Eastern and Western cinema. Danny Boyle adds some grit and realism to this romantic fairytale (it's just barely believable) that no one will be able to leave unsatisfied.
The love that blossoms between the main character Jamal (newcomer Dev Patel who doesn't do much to hide it) and Latika (Indian sweetheart Freida Pinto) becomes harder and harder to swallow as the film progresses and the story adheres strongly to formula, meaning the whole thing feels like a setup and you can see what's coming around the next corner, but Slumdog Millionaire is a welcome return to the old Danny Boyle. Although moments in his films may be bleak, as a director Boyle has always dabbled in destiny — it's hard to forget the chain of events that made A Life Less Ordinary possible — and this film is an exciting achievement for him.
Slumdog Millionaire does Indian cinema a great justice. It's saved from exploitation and is redefined for a western audience. Wes Anderson tried not so long ago to take us to India in The Darjeeling Limited and although his film was a beautiful vacation, as viewers we felt like sight-seers in a foreign country. This film has translated Bollywood for us (even if it's on a superficial level) and I left the theater ready for the real thing. And believe it or not, it makes a great family movie. Parents will feel informed and inspired, so formula or not Slumdog Millionaire is a winner. Getting anyone to voluntarily experience the slums of Indian is an achievement indeed.
The love that blossoms between the main character Jamal (newcomer Dev Patel who doesn't do much to hide it) and Latika (Indian sweetheart Freida Pinto) becomes harder and harder to swallow as the film progresses and the story adheres strongly to formula, meaning the whole thing feels like a setup and you can see what's coming around the next corner, but Slumdog Millionaire is a welcome return to the old Danny Boyle. Although moments in his films may be bleak, as a director Boyle has always dabbled in destiny — it's hard to forget the chain of events that made A Life Less Ordinary possible — and this film is an exciting achievement for him.
Slumdog Millionaire does Indian cinema a great justice. It's saved from exploitation and is redefined for a western audience. Wes Anderson tried not so long ago to take us to India in The Darjeeling Limited and although his film was a beautiful vacation, as viewers we felt like sight-seers in a foreign country. This film has translated Bollywood for us (even if it's on a superficial level) and I left the theater ready for the real thing. And believe it or not, it makes a great family movie. Parents will feel informed and inspired, so formula or not Slumdog Millionaire is a winner. Getting anyone to voluntarily experience the slums of Indian is an achievement indeed.
Slumdog Millionaire Trailer
A Life Less Ordinary Trailer
The Darjeeling Limited Trailer
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