Slumdog Millionaire [DVD]

 

 

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As a British born Indian, I wanted to see Boyle take on his version of a bollywood film with a good mix of his direction, all the charm that most of Indian films have. Result, a good directorial effort with an Indian version of City of God; far less brutal and replaces that sardonic hardship from City of God to the hopeful dreams of a young boy from the slums, very much a style common in Indian films today.

I've been to India before and seen what this film shows. It doesn't make it less dreary by sugar coating; that's not Boyle's style, he will show what is there and this film depicts India's culture, beauty, depression, poverty, lustre, greed, vengeance, corruption and all the moralities. You might be mistaken into thinking I'm being patriotic but the fact is Boyle has made a very good film, with keeping the actual Indian viewers of this film in mind. He has given it a love story like most Indian films while providing the action and tension that so many Indian-film lovers sitting on corner streets in Mumbai and Delhi will want to see.

I've lived in West London all my life and this is as close to showing India any European film has done in the last 20 years, that includes Bend it like Beckham and Ghandi.

West-Londoner-born, like myself, Dev Patel made his début on SKINS, and excellent UK drama series involving the life of College/Sixformer teens. A good choice since learning an language and accent is easier, but also a familiar face to those who watch Skins. The main focus is on him becoming more than he is, a subtle underdog story that doesn't boast of its pious superiority. He just wants to find the girl, Latika, he met when he was a boy, save her from poverty, prostitution and give her a life she deserves. Along with that, Dev's character known as Jamal Malik has a older brother Salim Malik who cares for money and the high-life, anyway he can get it. It's the Romulus and Remus tale with loads of morality. There are 3 actors per character of Jamal, Salim & Latika, each depicting the 3 main characters at different ages who are excellently cast, cute and innocent from the younger ages; to the older actors who play them as time and chance have made them into what they are now, with their knowledge of the world changing their day-to-day perceptions. Dev's character gets the chance to play on "Who wants to be a Millionaire" in India (Indian Version) with familiar host and legendary Indian actor Anil Kapoor. What could a slum-dog know of the world, more than most. He's graduating from the university of life.

Contrasting, political, brutal, and bitter-sweet. 8.5/10.

I was almost put off by a lot of hype trying to connect this film to Bollywood in some way which wouldn't have really been my cup of tea. What Danny Boyle has achieved here, however, is a stunningly vivid and touching film all about ordinary people which should translate to just about every country and culture in the world. A well deserved barrel load of Oscars.

Good film, but it has definitely been hyped too much. Preferred the backflashes to life in the slums, depicting the harsh realities of the children left to fend for themselves, as opposed to the 'current' time. Was a bit overlong in my opinion - my husband, who had wanted to see the film for ages, fell asleep during the last half-an-hour - but glad I stuck it out to the end and and the 'bollywood' finale accompanying the credits.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic movie
I'm not sure why this is only a 3.5 star on amazon!? THis film deserved every Oscar it received. Simply brilliant film. Danny Boyle came back with this.

Published 7 days ago by nish123

5.0 out of 5 stars Great film, ignore the haters
Superb film.

Superb acting, especially the slum kids.

I know for a fact that many indians or uk people of indian origin are simply angered because this film... Read more

Published 17 days ago by Scotpak

3.0 out of 5 stars Controversial perhaps, but I found this to be an average film.
Don't get me wrong I absolutely love Danny Boyle, and pretty much all of his films are average to brilliant, and I love that he has such an eclectic taste when it comes to film... Read more

Published 7 months ago by Louise Roberts

5.0 out of 5 stars A real feel good film
I'm amazed so many reviewers missed the point of this film and totally misunderstood how it is a real feel good film. Read more

Published 8 months ago by Nojiggerchick

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good
I really enjoyed this film. Bought it for my mum for her birthday and she loved it too. Just slightly too depressing for me though. But only a little bit.

Published 8 months ago by H. M. Knights

1.0 out of 5 stars I will keep this short............
How this film won so many awards is beyond me. It was so boring it even sent my glass eye to sleep. Avoid like the Plague....!

Published 9 months ago by TURBOCHINK

1.0 out of 5 stars What DVD???
I would love to be able to write a review for this item but I can't because it never arrived, the seller has not responded to my message enquiring about it's whereabouts, and so... Read more

Published 9 months ago by sdh66

2.0 out of 5 stars Feel Good?? So Sad.
This is a terribly sad film, full of violence, poverty, degradation and suffering. The only 'feel good' that I could detect is if most of us compare our lives to those of the... Read more

Published 11 months ago by K. Barnacle

2.0 out of 5 stars Feel good? No feel bad.
On the cover it says 'feel good film of the decade'. This is a very dark disturbing and depressing film with a glossy colourful surface. Read more

Published 14 months ago by book groupie

5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Best film I saw in 2008.

Everbody I respect likes the film and has an emotional response to it.

Buy it for funk sake

Published 15 months ago by Leigh Doughty

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