Beautifully structured, dusting off old clichés

Rating: 10/10 (7 February 2009)

I thought this movie was phenomenal in every aspect. I'm well aware India's poverty has been done to death, but the way Boyle portrays is breath-taking. I'm not saying I'd throw Indian's religious ways and stereotype their culture for a few good camera shots. But what people don't focus on here is that this isn't about India. It's about a young man, despite all the trials and tribulations he confronted in his life, met his destiny. It's taken all those over-killed American clichés and transformed it into something new; I came into this movie expecting a feel- good fluff picture, walking out of the theater going 'Aw, that was cute.' And forgetting about it minutes later. Don't start a hateful conflict for this movie. If you're wanting Danny Boyle to take an hour of of this movie portraying India's majestic beauty and rich class, you're destroying the boy's story. This wasn't what he went through, it wasn't his life. Stop confronting the aspect of 'It's insulting this/my culture! With an undeniably terrible cliché' You're getting offended so quickly, you're knocking it before it even gets a chance to show you it's beauty.
It forms a love story that is timeless, a young man's undying commitment and loyalty to a girl. His endlessly strong spirit thrives despite the hardship she's faced, and how destiny circulated his life in every aspect. The way this was directed made every morsel of it seem satisfying, near perfection. This is his life, and if you're going to dissect it every so crudely into something worthless, go ahead. India inspired this love story, and if you're underrating it because of it's 'cultural differences' in your eyes, take a look at all the directors that have abused the poverty of several countries in their films. Some of them are insulting Danny Boyle at this very moment. Don't get offended, this movie's not trying to trash your culture. It's love, undeniably flawed yet perfect love. Boyle's intention wasn't to reprimand India's slums. Of course, though, when a movie get this much praise there's always bound to be tension at some point. Some deep flaw that everyone should notice, pointing out the stupidity of all who praise it.
What I'm beginning to disdain is the backlash this moving is receiving. Not just from the Indian cultures, but from some directors as well, even one who was featured along side at the Toronto film festival. You're settling to sour this movie over details that you derive from it. If it's not the cultural details, it's the appearance or ending of the actors. Dear God. Get off your high horse.