This movie hit me with a punch to my stomach

Rating: Null/10 (28 November 2008)

I had skimmed a review in the NY Times of this movie, and must have read something that made me want to watch it, but the only thing I remembered was the premise: slum kid competes in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
Hence, I was totally unprepared for the visceral onslaught of this movie: the poverty, the squalor, the filth, the degradation, the violence, the lead character's continuous sufferings. The movie is like a horrific car wreck that you can't help ogling. And to be honest, all throughout, I felt physically ill enough to almost walk out, run to the toilet, and vomit. That was how much it affected me.
But I managed to stay put to the end. And, you know what, close to the climax of the movie, tears just quietly, involuntarily flowed down my cheeks. I couldn't help it. Who wouldn't sympathize with the hero, orphaned as a tot, living as a child beggar, separated from the love of his life, given one chance to better himself and reunite with his lost love. As another reviewer noted, you will feel thankful about your own life after seeing this movie.
Afterwards, I re-read the NY Times review, and saw that it had noted that Western audiences may find many scenes revolting. As my intense physical reaction shows, the movie may not be for everyone. In fact I'm not entirely sure that I'm not sorry I didn't see it. But if you do go and see it, you'll never forget it.