Rough jewel

Rating: 8/10 (12 January 2009)

There are a lot of posts and comments about the Indian caste system and the way the movie depicts slum reality. Many feel it glosses over these subjects in order to fulfill its entertainment directive. Not true.
A movie about a slum that's positive and uplifting isn't necessarily feel good gloss, the reality about Hinduism, is that the whole point in the drama of life is to see through it to the beauty in life no matter where it may be. Hope then is a wonderful contrast to this environment, the sun, the colours, the people the adventure.. if these things can't give us a reason to go on what can.
That's the first part of the movie.
The second part, when the kids are older unfortunately finds itself drawn back to the mainstream motorway after the first half took an exciting adventurous turn off. The plot here becomes usual, cliché even, the drama is fairly superficial and you can't help thinking that there could have been a whole lot more depth.
That said it's probably this half of the movie that brought in more regular movie goers. I can't help that think if the movie had continued to explore and probe the boundaries of adventure in India, the masses would have given it a wider birth.
A tale of two halfs then; but as a whole, and even with the predictable soap opera like ending, it's a real achievement, the energy and euphoria Boyle creates is unique. It engages you start to finish and is very definitely an exciting worth while ride.. deserved of all the Oscars it has won in my humble opinion.