A Film That Works Better As An Inspiration Rather Than A Film

Rating: 7/10 (4 June 2009)

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is a movie that's a victim of its marketing . The screenplay is adapted by Simon Beaufoy from a novel by Indian writer Vikas Swarup . These two things should be remembered before watching the film . Beaufoy was the writer of THE FULL MONTY a film that was marketed as a comedy of sorts when in fact it was a rather downbeat gloomy narrative saved only by the upbeat ending . SLUMDOG is the same type of movie except it's even more gloomy , not to mention violent at some points . " The feel good movie of the year " ? yes but you'll have to wade through a lot of misery to get there
The entire subtext revolves around the Hindu philosophy of Karma ie things happen for a reason , even the worst things happen for a reason and it's important to remember this . This is the only thing you should think of before watching the movie . The plot turns are not coincidences because Karma has chosen Jamal Malik for great things but first he must undergo heart breaking soul destroying things that he can never forget . In short this film is easier to respect than to enjoy or even like but the fundamental core of the story is food for the soul . You suffer heart breaking divorce ? Take comfort that in a future part of your life that you're free to live your life the way you want . You have no life , no friends , no future and every day is composed of watching dire movies ? Slag off the films on a website and someone will you give you Roger Ebert's job . Make a film set in Indian slums with subtitles and expect it to go straight to DVD because there's no way no one will watch it or nominate it for awards. Or will they ?
Anything is possible screams SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE and anything is . It's not a film that's likable and while Danny Boyle is an exceptional film maker I doubt if this is his masterwork , certainly 28 DAYS LATER and TRAINSPOTTING were better films . But as far as SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE goes it's a reminder that the future is unwritten and perhaps maybe destiny has great plans for all of us