Slumdog is a magical yet harsh journey through India life and culture

Rating: 8/10 (3 December 2008)

"Slumdog Millionaire" is beautifully written and amazingly captured by the dual directors. There were many incredible shots of past and current India, starting right out of the gate. Most of the film involved the incredible and scary journey of two brothers as they try to survive and make it in a cruel world. The tale was fully engrossing and captured our hearts. But there also were many gasping and look-away moments showing the harsh reality of the slums. I really enjoyed the score and cinematography, and appreciated the reality of the boys situation and the things that had to be done. The directors left in some biting comments on religious zealots, crime lords, and even economic progress. The tale of Jamal and his brother was told in between bits of a showing Jamal on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire", and with the current Jamal being interrogated. The "flashbacks" were never forced and the audience always wanted more. In all, this was an amazing movie that I would pay to see again. There were great moments of love and hardship, humor and sadness, destitution and success, all wrapped up in a tale of a boy trying to be a hero and striving to win the girl of his dreams too.