This is a great movie.... here's the problem with the detractors.

Rating: 10/10 (26 December 2008)

Contains MIld Spoilers.
Reading through the negative reviews I couldn't help but feel regret that those more associated with Indian culture have turned on this film. I can say that, personally, I can't speak with any knowledge of the subject(Indian Culture and History). I can only say that I don't believe that racial stereotypes were the focus of the director(s) and nor should they be the focus of the viewers. And it is important to note the Boyle doesn't claim to be an expert on India and that he employed the services of many to help him with this vision.
However!<, I can say that I have seen over 5,000 films from many different countries including many from India and to say that Slumdog Millionaire DOESN't belong with some of the quality Indian films would be unfair. As for quality(cinematography, music, acting, etc), you would be HARD pressed to find better films than this in India or in America.
Fact is, there are poverty stricken people in both countries that could end up in similar circumstances.... and to criticize this film for racial discrimination would be selling this movie short.
Slumdog Millionaire is EASILY one of the years best. The film follows the life and struggles of two brothers. One of the finest aspects of the film is how Boyle and Co. found a group of young actors to play the roles of the brothers throughout different segments of their lives. So many times this shows the weaknesses of one group of actors or another, but in Slumdog, they do an equally fine job in each segment.
Another unwarranted criticism of Slumdog concerns the plausibility of the film. To say that this could never happen would be like saying that no one ever hits the lottery. Sure, the chips rarely fall into place, but it happens none-the-less. How many times have you watched 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' and just happened to know some of the huge dollar answers because of happenstance? It happens all the time. The smallest and least significant moments of our lives can be the most enlightening. You just never know when some piece of information you thought you'd never use will become useful.
Jamal Malik perseveres because he's tough. He's been through so much that he's wiser.... smarter than he appears... an education outside of the realm of education. At one point in the film his rough childhood is the only reason he gets an answer right... It was a lesson about trust that he learned a long, long time ago. It marked one of many great moments in this film.
Slumdog entertains from start to finish. At times it is hard to watch the violence towards the children in this film, but that violence is at the very center of the story. This is definitely not a children's film. The line from 'Shawshank Redemption' comes to mind... "Andy Dufresne crawled through a mile of the most God awful smell and came out clean on the other side".... That is Slumdog in a nutshell. I loved this movie. They make movies about poverty, violence against children, and religious upheaval in America and England too. Remember that before you try to tear this apart for casting a dark light on Indian culture. Slumdog Millionaire is a huge success and deserves all the accolades it has received and then some. 10/10 93/100(I ROUND UP ANY 93+ TO 10)