Disturbing subtext aside, this is a real crowd-pleaser...

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 2019)

The film doesn't really deal with a thorny philosophical issue that is at the heart of its story. I can't think of a way to view this film that isn't forwarding fatalism metaphysically. That being all events are predetermined and inevitable. Jamal knew the answers to all the questions because his life experiences were arranged by fate (or God) so that he would know the answers. This is great for Jamal, for in the end he gets the money and the girl. It is not so great for the kid who has his eyes scooped out by a spoon so Jamal would know the answer to one of the questions. This fatalism is clearly indicated by "D: it is written..." at the end and the characters repeatedly talking about destiny. It is simply disturbing to think how many people fate killed so Jamal could win a million bucks and get the girl.
Likewise, the film's treatment of India is a little grotesque. The film gives you the false impression that India is all slums, ghettos and crime. The film stomps around troubling aspects of Indian society, such as the sectarian violence between Muslims and Hindus, mainly to provide material for this fairy tale story. In light of it being an British film this is even worse. Likewise, the film really isn't a Bollywood film, for one thing the love story is very Western; it steals, through, some Bollywood things, i.e. the big dance number in the credits (through weirdly it isn't integrated into the text as in Bollywood). The film gives off a vibe of India being mostly used as a setting of "exotic" flavor for Western filmgoers.
But why am I rating it as a 10? Because the film works! Jamal is a great everyman. The framing of a rag-to-riches story via a game show where the person wins because of their trouble past is innately engaging and engrossing. And the Salim-Jamal are a great pair of brothers to see grow up and the way their fates diverge is emotional.
But mostly it is Boyle's visual flare that makes this film. None of the objections to the story occur to you while watching. And boy do you want to start dancing after Jamal wins.
Just don't think about the story!