Slumdog Millionaire (2008): An Exceptional Love Story

What does it take to find a Lost Love?

A. Money B. Luck
C. Passion D. DESTINY

Slumdog Millionaire has suddenly become most talked about movie of recent times just for its exceptional story-telling about a simple guy from Mumbai’s slum who has done every possible thing to find his LOVE.

On a face the story is simple that Jamal Malik who was born in infamously famous Dharavi slums of Mumbai grown along with his elder brother Salim falls in love with childhood friend Latika who was lost because of some incident and later he find his way out to get her back in most unconventional manner. A film which has romance as its theme and have all ingredients of Bollywood Movie such as: Action, Comedy, Drama, Sex, Thriller etc …. Yet this is very different than any usual movie which we are typically used to watch.
The most interesting part of this movie is the innovative plot in the way the story being presented. It is based on the novel Q and A written by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup. Loveleen Tandan began as the film's casting director and was later appointed by Boyle as the co-director (India).
The film, shot and set in India, follows a young man from the slums of Mumbai who appears on our famous game show “Kaun Banega Crorepati” and exceeds people's expectations, raising the suspicions of the game show host and law enforcement. The story starts from interrogation room where the cops were not convinced that how an illiterate guy from Slum can earn 1 crore rupees by giving all the right answers. And then story goes back and forth and unfolding the story of his life which was connected to each question which was being asked on the game show.

CASTS
Dev Patel as Jamal Malik
Madhur Mittal as Salim, Jamal's brother.
Freida Pinto as Latika
Anil Kapoor as Prem Kumar, the game show host
Irrfan Khan as The Police Inspector
Saurabh Shukla as Constable Srinivas
Mahesh Manjrekar as Javed / Raja
Ankur Vikal as Maman
Ayush Mahesh Khedekar as Youngest Jamal

Here's the proof. We learn the history of Jamal and the other principal characters in flashbacks, as Jamal answers questions on the TV show not from book knowledge — he has none — but his own life experiences. Jamal is searching for two people from his childhood: his wild older brother Salim (an outstanding Madhur Mittal), now a thief and killer, and his adored Latika (the achingly lovely Freida Pinto), now stepping up from child prostitute to plaything of a gangster. Every incident, including the brothers' watching their mother die in an anti-Muslim riot, feeds into Jamal's answers on the show. OK, the concept bends coincidence to the breaking point. But Jamal's traumatic youth is his lifeline. Boyle makes magic realism part of the film's fabric, the essential part that lets in hope without compromising integrity.

The film is a visual wonder, propelled by A.R. Rahman's hip-hopping score and Chris Dickens' kinetic editing. The whoosh of action and romance pulls you in, but it's the bruised characters who hold you there. Every step Jamal takes toward his final answer could get him killed. Even in the Bollywood musical number that ends the film, joy and pain are still joined in the dance. The no-bull honesty of Slumdog Millionaire hits you hard. It's the real deal. No cheating.

There are few things which will be left in your thoughts after the movies:

1. The main theme of movie was Romance but it shown us reality of Mumbai slum or for the matter fact any slums in India where the poor lives in inhumane condition throughout the lif and die in shit holes.
2. Believe it or not – but this is real India where millions of people are below poverty line and it was shown how ragpickers & slum kids live in garbage and try to find if anything can be used for their livelihood
3. Their entire life is adventurous and always on the edge and they are their own parallel society with their own rules and challenges
4. It is also amazingly shown how crimes, religious backlashes, riots affects their life…. Things like child labor, making them disabled beggars (blind kid can earn double), sexual abuse depicted the reality of our society with exceptional editing to keep you gripped and entertained all the time
5. Exceptional selection of locations including slums, mumbai high rise, train seqeunces etc
6. AR Rahman music was just rhythmic with movie. Apart from Saya, Jai Ho; I also loved the number Paper Plane… in fact that cheesy item number “Ringa Ringa” was also done well and appropriate to the movie
7. All actors – Dev, Freida, Madhur, Anil Kapoor, Irfan Khan … each one of them were exceptional
There are a lot of unforgettable moments… but my most favorite ones are 1. Jamal jumps in shit hole to get Amitabh Bachchan’s autograph.. (who can imagine this kinda scene in movies); 2. The acid scene when Salim & Jamal runs away; and not to beat the climax part the way the hype was build for the last question he answered.

Finally after making dent in entire world & winnings tons of awards this movie will be releasing in India on 23rd Jan 2009 and I am sure it will create magic over here. The movie already created grand phenomena in social sites, face book, you tube and huge word of mouth made it win several accolades. But it so sorry situation over here as censor board has clipped some scene where some abusing language is being used and also a scene where Salim as 15 yr. kid is smoking in the film. This shows our attitude towards art which still make people around to forget the reality and live in denial. But whatever happens it won’t affect Slumdog Millionaire as this is simply mind blowing and a great cinema…… all of you must watch. I already had seen this three times.

My Rating: 10/10

See What Critics Are Saying!

Awards Won:

2009

2009 Golden Globe Awards
Won: Best Motion Picture - Drama
Won: Best Director - Motion Picture - Danny Boyle
Won: Best Screenplay - Simon Beaufoy
Won: Best Original Score - A. R. Rahman

2008
2008 Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards
Won: Best Film
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Unforgettable Moment Award
Won: Cultural Crossover Award
Nominated: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy

2008 American Society of Cinematographers Awards
Nominated: Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases - Anthony Dod Mantle

2008 Austin Film Festival
Won: Audience Award – Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy

2008 Boston Society of Film Critics Award
Won: Best Picture (shared with Wall-E)
Won: Best Film Editing – Chris Dickens

2008 British Independent Film Awards
Won: Best British Independent Film
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Most Promising Newcomer – Dev Patel
Nominated: Best Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy
Nominated: Best Technical Achievement (cinematography – Anthony Dod Mantle)
Nominated: Most Promising Newcomer – Ayush Mahesh Khedekar

2008 Broadcast Film Critics Association The Critics' Choice Award
Won: Best Picture
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Best Writer – Simon Beaufoy
Won: Best Young Actor/Actress (under 21) – Dev Patel
Nominated: Best Song – "Jai ho" performed by Sukhwinder Singh, written by Gulzar
Won: Best Composer - A.R. Rahman

2008 Chicago Film Critics Association
Won: Best Director - Danny Boyle
Won: Best Adapted Screenplay - Simon Beaufoy
Won: Most Promising Performer - Dev Patel
Nominated: Best Picture
Nominated: Best Cinematography - Anthony Dod Mantle
Nominated: Best Original Score - A.R. Rahman

2008 Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards
Won: Best Film
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Nominated: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy

2008 Detroit Film Critics Society Awards 2008
Won: Best Film
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Nominated: Best Newcomer – Dev Patel

2008 Florida Film Critics Circle Awards 2008
Won: Best Picture
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy

2008 Houston Film Critics Society Awards
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy
Runner-up: Best Cinematography – Anthony Dod Mantle
Runner-up: Best Original Score - A.R. Rahman
Runner-up: Best Original Song - "Jai ho" performed by Sukhwinder Singh, written by Gulzar

2008 London Film Critics' Circle
Nominated: The Attenborough Award: British Film Of The Year
Nominated: Best Director Of The Year – Danny Boyle
Nominated: Best British Director Of The Year – Danny Boyle
Nominated: Best British Actor Of The Year - Dev Patel
Nominated: Best Screenwriter Of The Year – Simon Beaufoy
Nominated: The NSPCC Award: Young British Performer Of The Year - Dev Patel

2008 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Best Music Score – A. R. Rahman
Runner-up: Best Cinematography – Anthony Dod Mantle

2008 National Board of Review
Won: Best Film
Won: Best Breakthrough Performance, Male – Dev Patel
Won: Best Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy

2008 National Society of Film Critics
Won: Best Cinematography - Anthony Dod Mantle

2008 New York Film Critics Circle
Won: Best Cinematography – Anthony Dod Mantle

2008 New Yorrk Film Critics Online
Won: Best Picture
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle with Loveleen Tandan
Won: Best Cinematography – Anthrony Dod Mantle
Won: Best Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy
Won: Best Music Score – A. R. Rahman

2008 Oklahoma Film Critics Circle
Won: Best Film
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Best Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy

2008 Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards
Won: Best Picture
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Best Film Editing – Chris Dickens
Won: Best Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy
Won: Best Music Score – A. R. Rahman
Won: Break Out On Camera - Dev Patel
Won: Best Performance By a Youth, Male - Ayush Mahesh Khedekar

2008 Produrcers Guild of America Awards
Nominated: Best Theatrical Picture

2008 San Diego Film Critics Society Award
Won: Best Film
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy
Won: Best Cinematography – Anthony Dod Mantle
Won: Best Film Editing – Chris Dickens
Won: Best Music Score – A. Rr. Rahman

2008 Satellite Awards International Press Academy
Won: Best Motion Picture - Drama
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Best Original Score - A.R. Rahman
Nominated: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy
Nominated: Best Original Song - "Jai ho" performed by Sukhwinder Singh, written by Gulzar
Nominated: Best Film Editing - Chris Dickens

2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards
Nominated: Best Ensemble
Nominated: Best Supporting Actor - Dev Patel

2008 Southeastern Film Critics Association
Won: Runner-up: Best Picture
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy

2008 St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Awards 2008
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Best Foreign Language Film
Nominated: Best Picture
Nominated: Most Original, Creative or Innovative Film
Nominated: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy
Nominated: Best Cinematography – Anthony Dod Mantle

2008 Toronto International Film Festival
Won: People's Choice Award – Dannry Boyle

2008 Vancouver Film Critics Circle
Nominated: Best Picture
Nominated: Best Director – Danny Boyle

2008 Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association
Won: Best Film
Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle
Won: Best Breakthrough Performance – Dev Patel
Won: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy

2008 Writers Guild of America Awards
Nominated: Best Adapted Screenplay - Simon Beaufoy

Watch this movie, you will fall in love with it.

-- Anks

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