Vibrant, Pan-Emotional, Striking & Moving.

Rating: 10/10 (29 December 2008)

The movie Slumdog Millionaire is a name that doesn't quite tell you what the movie is about. Of Course it's about a slum-born Indian Oliver Twist who appears on an Indian version of "Who wants to be a millionaire?". But the move is so much more.
The movie is extremely moving in it's plot narration. It's constantly on the move, striking a chord with every different frame, yet it doesn't dwell unnecessarily. From young Jamal's dive into filth for an autograph of Amitabh Bachan to the Anti-Muslim attack in the slum to the "Orphanage". Each plot element is elucidated just right. Not too shallow, not too boringly in-detail.
Then there is the actual plot itself, much has been written about the moving love story between Jamal & Latika, of the coming of age of Jamal and how he trumps all odds. But what has not been brought out (from what I've read until now!) is complicated relationship between Jamal and his elder brother Salim. The latter, a character who is riddled with opposites. He doesn't let Jamal invite Latika in the post-riot scene, yet we never see an objection later. He rescues his brother from the orphanage/Mamon, but leaves behind Latika despite his brother's protests. He returns with Jamal back to his home-town, but abandons him after Latika's rescue.
The movie in itself is moving in a umpteen scenes. Comically, as in the Taj Mahal scenario where Jamal is mistaken for a guide and he makes up a whole load of believable tosh about the Taj. Movingly, the one where Jamal recalls his encounter with a 100$ bill. Worryingly, with the way Jamal wades through human-excreta to get an autograph and how his brother sells it for some money.
The movie is brilliant in its narration and moving in it's motive.
Boyle has clearly given us one of the best, if not THE best movie of 2008.