Slumdog Millionaire Helps Redefine Romance in Cinema

Rating: 8/10 (17 December 2008)

The film Slumdog Millionaire is the latest feature film for the incredibly versatile director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Millions). In this film Boyle goes into the heart of Mumbai, India, as well as the game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Through this he shows the story of a young boy, Jamal (played very well by the newcomer Dev Patel), growing up in the slums and his undying love for the girl of his dreams, his childhood friend Latika (played by the incredibly beautiful Frieda Pinto). At the film's onset we are immediately thrust into the crowded and fast paced slums through the beautiful directing of Boyle. He shows a young Jamal, along with his brother Salem and their cohorts, antagonizing a cop as he chases them through the streets. This scene plays out to Indian music and gives a true sense of what the slums entail. At the conclusion of the scene the camera goes through a series shots backing further and further up to show the true enormity of the slums. Through this it is clear that Boyle's directing would be the true marvel of the film The film simultaneously shows the upbringing of Jamal and his battle to prove his validity of winning the show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Jamal was accused of cheating on the show and needs to justify his answers to an investigative cop. It is shown that every question Jamal answered correctly on the show somehow correlated with an important event in his life. This is the unique part of the screenplay, because the story of Jamal's life and the investigation play out simultaneously. At times scripts such as this can become gimmicky and irrelevant to the plot. However, Slumdog Millionaire¸ does not suffer from this. The back and forth storytelling of the game show and the Jamal's upbringing helps us not only identify with Jamal as young man growing up in the slums, but also shows the importance of his present situation. The culmination of his life leads to the game show and it is clear that nothing is more important to Jamal than his present state. Through this style of the story telling, duality becomes a major theme in the film, the duality between the past and the present, the duality between the rich and the slums, the duality between love and money and duality between good and bad, which is showed through Jamal and his brother. While none of these are answered, the dichotomy of the each is presented and put in front of us as the viewer. It is through the themes of the film truly resonates.
This unique screenplay couples perfectly with Boyle's directing. By making the film in this way it allows for duality to be stressed at every moment of the film. We are able to compare Jamal on the game show, to Jamal that grew up in the slums. Along with that, we are able to witness his motives for being on the game show. It becomes clear through the development of both his upbringing and his interrogation that the idea of the money actually matters very little to him. This allows Boyle to work within his full range of capabilities, because of his very scattered past of movies he is able to perfectly developed both equally important stories effective while also simultaneously. Ultimately it becomes clear through this plot device that the Jamal's motives are to impress the girl that he met in his childhood, that he loves. Throughout Jamal's life he crosses paths with Latika several times. Through these encounters Jamal finds out that Latika loves the show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" This is his main objective for getting on the show. It is clear that Jamal would do anything for Latika and the prize money from the show matters very little in comparison to the pursuit of love, and in turn Latika. The film concludes beautifully as Jamal must give the final answer and hope that his efforts will eventually lead him to her. Slumdog Millionaire is a beautiful and uplifting film that should be required of anyone that enjoys romance in cinema. It doesn't reinforce the same ideals we have become accustomed to seeing in typical romance films, it gives a new type of story of undying love. It is not sappy it is real. The passion of Jamal could be relatable to anyone who has been in love. Through Danny Boyle's camera the essence of the slums in Mumbai are masterfully captured while he also develops a cast of memorable characters. The film will certainly be up numerous awards in the upcoming season and should not be missed.