The best movie I've seen for a very long time

Rating: 9/10 (24 February 2009)

I went to see this movie with not a little nervous anticipation. I had read mixed reviews, some loathing Danny Boyle's latest offering, some praising it to the skies. I came out of the cinema today blown away. I'm very hard to please (it's my age I think!) but I was immensely and pleasantly surprised at what I had experienced. This movie is superb on so many levels - the score is top notch; the cinematography glorious; the casting excellent; the script witty, funny, tragic, emotive; the pace and direction perfect; the camera-work inventive without being obtrusive; the premise beautiful in its simplicity. The idea of a 'slum-dog' getting on a money show, knowing the answers thus raising suspicion, but demonstrating through his sad and tragic life experiences how he happened to be able to answer correctly, works extremely well. I agree with a number of reviewers that the first half is the best as it follows the very young Jamal, Salim his brother, and Latika the girl they befriend, in their adventures. You laugh at their joys and cry at their tragedies. These slum-dog children suck you into their lives so that you are constantly engaged. The second half isn't bad, it's very, very good, just not quite as good. Yes, things may seem just a little bit contrived in places but not in a spoiling way. And the love interest is perfectly handled so that it's not saccharine sweet but very touching - I just knew Jamal was going to kiss that scar at the end! For those who may be concerned about talk of the torture scenes and violence, this is not a lightweight feel good movie but gritty and disturbing. It is not a family film i.e. for children under 15. However, to me none of the violence was gratuitous but served the story, and yes, there's some bad language but again nothing OTT. Danny Boyle you and your superb cast and back up team really deserved those Oscars for what is a true cinematic tour de force! (And only 14m smackers too)