No it's not talent...it's genius, GENIUS!

Rating: 10/10 (19 February 2009)

Slumdog Millionaire is the story of a young, uneducated man who joins the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, in the hopes of not winning 20 million rupees, but to fulfill his one true destiny.
If there is one word to describe this film--it's GENIUS.
Danny Boyle is, in the words of Penelope Cruz in Vicky Cristina Barcelona...genius, genius! It's a film that is sure to have every viewer hooked and jumping up and down on their chairs! I think the description of Boyle that the film makes you root for Jamal (Dev Patel) is correct. Juxtaposing Jamal's life and struggles, and the tension of a game show makes one see behind the "oh this is just some scripted segment like Wowowee" maxim. The idea of "destiny" is well-established by Boyle and the editing. The overlapping of the events from Jamal's life makes one jump up and down on his chair on the final question. To think I was screaming all over the shop in tension!
The fact that Boyle takes a Bollywood approach makes it a refreshing spring in the selection of the nominees for Best Picture, and that is a great edge, unlike some films like The Reader, or Milk, or Frost/Nixon, which seem to be quite dusty in approach.
From start to finish, it's as if I was watching a Bollywood film, and the establishment of India in the film really makes one feel it rather than just see it. At one moment of the film, I almost thought that when I came out of the door, I would be seeing green cabs like the ones they painted in TAR 13! Another element of the film that makes it memorable is the cast. From the fat policeman extra to Dev Patel, one can see that the extras are not your randomly picked guys. They embody their minor roles, and could quite give Viola Davis her male counterpart!
I applaud Dev Patel. The actor clearly deserves an Oscar. I don't know about Michael Shannon, but where is the compassion! At parts when Dev Patel's character gets angry, goosebumps just erupt like mushrooms! The guy clearly is a good actor! Kudos! I hope he gets another role which will merit him a nod.' If he would have an Oscar clip, I would recommend the "There is no message, there is no message, there is no message!" part. Bone-chilling and fear-provoking.
That's the key word--GOOSEBUMPS. When I get goosebumps while watching a film, I know it's a film worth watching and skipping almost 2/3 of Philosophy for (shhhhhh!). The whole film I was just having them!
Final thoughts about the film--well, no doubt-- it's an Oscar! No, I mean four sure Oscars (Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay and Editing). I would be so torn if it doesn't win Best Picture! This is a film that had everyone talking, and I'm sure by the end of the day, you'd be one of them too...