Best film in a very long time.

Rating: 10/10 (26 January 2009)

You can tell that a film was really good. The time passes really quickly and you don't want it to end.
The film is told in real time and in flashbacks. It is basically an episode of Who Wants to be a Millionaire in India. The top prize is 20 million Rupees, or just short of £300,000. In a country where the average wage is around £1500 per year this is a fortune.
It centers on the life of Jamal and his brother Salim. The fact that both made it to adulthood given their start in life is a miracle. Growing up in the slums of Mumbai the boys face obstacles and life threatening situations from birth. Orphaned and left to fend for themselves these street kids live from day to day. Eventually they link up with Latika, herself an orphan.
We switch between present day and the past as Jamal recounts how he came to appear on WWTBAM and how he knew the answers to the questions. He's recounting them to a senior policeman after being tortured because the show's presenter thinks he is cheating. No one has ever got as far as Jamal on the program.
This is a truly brilliant film. It really has earned the accolades and awards it has won or has been nominated for.
This is not a bollywood film where every one breaks into song every five minutes. If your wife or gf wants you to see it then do so.