A great film, much better than everything else around

Rating: 10/10 (18 January 2009)

I should declare an interest from the start. I like British Cinema and most of what it offers. That said, Danny Boyle (who I loved from TRAINSPOTTING) wasn't in my good books after "SUNSHINE", which I consider to be one of the worst films of recent years.
Maybe it's because I was expecting nothing much, expecting an upbeat comedy, a sort of "East is East" type film that I found this film so good, or maybe it was the stunning performances by ALL the main cast, especially the younger children.
Some reviews have focused on the inconsistencies, especially towards the end of the film, but I felt this was mainly the Bollywood elements and it was nice to have such a strong Bollywood influence in a mainstream film. I'm not someone who likes happy endings, fluffy romance or feel good moments, but the many of these in this film were expertly balanced with the harsh, disturbing and sometimes look-away moments to turn the film into a masterclass of how to get a point across without needing to be too preachy.
Many have also slated the image of India this film portrays. Having never been to India, it would be foolish of me to say what does or did go on there, however I feel that this movie explores some of the dark places that exist in every culture. The lack of good Indian people is true, however there are no people who come out of this film clean - it is a film about people, places, stories, realities and dreams. All these have flaws, and it's a relief to find characters who don't fit in a simple black and white, good or evil, category.
At a time when almost every movie in the theatre weighs heavy with deep messages or wastes two hours with "harmless" mind-numbing "fun", it's a relief to find a film that could have you shouting with anger, crying with pain and laughing with joy all in the same short space of time.