True love in the slums of India

Rating: 8/10 (6 January 2009)

Slumdog Millionaire tells the unforgettable story of Jamal Malik. An unlikely contestant on India's version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire". The film opens with Jamal being "interrogated" by police for his ability to answer questions on the show that he couldn't possibly know, therefore he must have cheated. He doesn't deny anything. He simply refuses to answer their questions or defend himself. Is he protecting someone? When he finally opens his mouth it is to simply say "I knew the answers". How he knew the answers is where the story unfolds, one game show question at a time in flashbacks beginning with his early childhood. As the police listen to and the audience witnesses his explanations to how he knew each question we begin to realize that each answer is associated with heartbreaking, horrific and sometimes humorous memories of his life.
Slumdog is a movie that should not be missed. It should be required viewing for all teenagers in this country and industrialized nations around the world. It is commentary on a society that would prefer to brush aside the problems it creates instead of taking responsibility for its actions or inaction. It is a lesson on what can be accomplished in this life no matter what kind of cards life has dealt you, if you persevere and try to do the right thing. The movie though is above all a story of true love. The belief in the destiny for that true love and that it can conquer all.