Slumdog Is A Great Ride

Rating: 8/10 (15 January 2009)

The year 2008 and the great movies it brought us would not be complete talking about without Slumdog Millionaire. Arguably the best movie of the year and certainly the best indie movie of the year. It's hard to believe but friends are dragging friends to this movie in herds. It is amazing how people are put off and drawn to the movie's content at the same time.
The story is about an 18-year-old boy, Jamal (Dev Patel), who works as a tea server, or chai wallah, for a telephone marketing company, has somehow become the last man standing on an Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Jamal is on his way to the ultimate prize of 20 million rupees. His improbable success captures the imagination of the entire country. The show's producer/host (Anil Kapoor) is convinced that the kid is cheating. On the night before the final question police arrest Jamal, string him up and begin to torture him into telling the truth. They are unable to get the answers they want. The film then moves back and forth from the interrogation room and the TV sound stage in a series of flashbacks where Jamal calmly explains how each incident in his eventful life made him uniquely prepared to answer the questions put to him.
The film is very reminiscent of Danny Boye's cult film and high-adrenalin Trainspotting. There are some really great scenes in the slums of Mumbai. The cinematography is unique including slow motion, step motion and wild camera angles. Even with the direction and look of the film the real power of the film is still in the hands of Patel. All of these items lead to a wonderful film ride, and at times it does feel like a ride. This is hands down one of the best films of 2008 and certainly the best indie film of the year.
The poster is also well designed. There are about 8 versions I have found so far and all of them delightful.