Good, but not great

Rating: 7/10 (25 January 2009)

I was immediately biased when viewing "Slumdog Millionaire" because I totally fell in love with Vikas Swarup's novel "Q & A" on which it is (relatively loosely) based. Where "Q & A" was insightful and clever, "Slumdog Millionaire" is far less so. I can partially understand why switching the focus of the novel was necessary - and in the process creating a film that wants to have a faux-Bollywood narrative, but ultimately it left me feeling a little bit cheated.
It's a good film on its own merits, the performances from the junior cast are outstanding, and the cinematography is up there with the best. But reading quotes like "the ultimate feel-good movie" don't really gel with what's presented if I'm honest. Yes, it has an uplifting feel, but it's hardly punch-the-air euphoria after what you've seen leading up to the finale.
Good, but not great by any means.