Slumdog Millionaire is a story of the life and hardships of a boy named Jamal, who grows up with his brother on the streets of Mumbai.

Rating: Null/10 (31 July 2011)

Set in the fast-paced streets of Mumbai, India, Slumdog Millionaire is based on the story of a young boy who rises above a lifetime of challenges and setbacks to finally fulfill his dreams. The movie follows Jamal, played by Dev Patel from his childhood to his adult years, ending on the day that he is a contestant on the popular game show, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?". The theme of the film is to keep your head up, and believe that if you work hard enough that anything is possible. Jamal grew up with nothing, and ended up winning the game show and finding his long lost love, Latika, played by Freida Pinto.
The film begins with scenes of Jamal being tortured after answering all of the questions right during the game show. The personnel working the show believe that Jamal has somehow cheated to get the answers, and think that there is no possible way that anyone should have known all of them. This sparks flashbacks to Jamal's childhood, and parts of his life where he knew the answers from. Although sometimes the moments that he recalls are not always what you or I would consider 'highlights' of a life, Jamal remembers them because it's the little things in life that make it worth living, no matter how hard your life may be. Jamal and his brother, Salim , played by Madhur Mittal, grow up on the streets of Mumbai, India, having only each other to depend on. Jamal is a warmhearted and determined young boy, while his older brother is bitter and jealous. They befriend a young, kind girl named Latika, who instantly drives a wedge between the brother's relationship. Jamal falls in love with her, and Salim is eager to keep his brother to himself. Jamal and Latika try hard to remain together through many difficulties, while Salim sabotages their relationship by trying to keep them separated.
During the early stages of the film, the viewer feels as if they are right there in the movie with Jamal and Salim as they are children on the streets. The sounds of the vehicles and vendors on the streets and walkways in the city, and the sound of the rain hitting the dirt make for a very believable and stimulating visual and auditory setting. The sweat and tears from the actors are felt by the audience as Jamal makes his way through life, and the seemingly never-ending separation and rejoining of Jamal and Latika throughout the film put the viewer on an emotional roller-coaster from beginning to end.
This is an inspiring story, and Jamal goes from having nothing to having everything- or at least everything that is important to him. In the end, he didn't really care about the money as much as he cared that it gave him a chance to reunite with this lost love, Latika. The film puts a lot into perspective and has a lesson for every walk of life.