A movie which makes everyone thank God for what they have not gone through

Rating: 10/10 (15 January 2009)

There are so many comments about the movie so in this review i will not concentrate on the story line. Let's focus about some outcomes of the movie. How would I rate the movie, I will give it a 10 out of 10.
For a movie watcher who has not seen how India is, this movie will give a bad impression about Indian living standards. In general, if you are watching a movie you would like something unusual, totally bizarre from day to day life. That's how movies based on Aliens, Wars, Animals of lost age, mutations become popular. May it be Steven Spielberg or Danny Boyle, they know this. Slumdog millionaire shows the worst part of Indian slums. Though this may create a misleading impression about India, One should know that this movie is an extreme scenario .people who have visited India know how full of life India is. India is a melting pot of different cultures and offers rich tradition.
Some reviewers have rated the movie down as they think the India portrayal is unjustified. I came across many angry comments from some NRI's in many forums. Some comments also say that India is been viewed as a place where there are just few bunch of call centers and slums. Well if people are so much concerned may be its time they share some profits and try improve things in these slums. Just 5 richest Indian businessmen contribute to a net worth of $200 billion dollar. If some of these Indian businessmen, politicians, Bollywood crew were kind enough things would have been better. Coming to the call centres issue India has many other industries including manufacturing, IT, R&D among others. Having said that I have a concern. In this movie most of the Indian characters are shown as selfish, corrupt and sadistic. Not just that in a scene an American tourist guy say "this the real America Son",and hands over a 100$ note, was this needed? I don't think Danny is capable enough to judge a country, the movie is customized for western audience.
Frieda Pinto(Latika) and Dev Patel(Jamal) have done well but the credit should go to all child actors who did justice to their roles and captivated the audience. Recently the BAFTA announced best supporting actress for Freida, I am not the one to decide whose the best but those kids deserve more than her(no Crab syndrome here). Thanks to Director Danny Boyle who placed the money to be paid to the 3 lead child actors in a trust that is to be released to them upon their completion of grade school at 16 years of age. The production company has set up for an auto-rickshaw driver to take the kids to school everyday until they are 16 years old. Since this movie is a great success I hope the movie crew will do more for these kids and their slums.
Coming to the background score as many have pointed out the movie is outstanding due to its music. AR Rehman as usual has given his best. For those who don't know much about ARR, he is a legend. From past 16 years he has contributed so much to music that he deserves a Academy Honorary Award. Just listen to his scores from Roja,Dil se, Bombay, Lagaan, Yuva ..... the list goes on and on. I hope he gets an Oscar. 16 years ago Rahman got an entry to Tamil/Hindi industry through Roja. His work in Slumdog millionaire will get him more projects and I am sure awards will just flow.Very soon he will top the list of all time best selling music artists.