A fairytale story you will never forget.

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2008)

'Slumdog Millionaire' is something of a miracle. In an industry where heartbreak and tragedy often rule out, here is a movie you can genuinely root for. One that hits all the right notes. Whatever you may take away from Danny Boyle's aesthetic journey through India, it will almost certainly leave you with a smile and sense of wonderment.
Oddly enough, there isn't anything particularly groundbreaking about 'Slumdog Millionaire'. It is in many ways a traditional rags to riches story, but told with such freshness and endearment that everything you see on-screen is exciting and unpredictable. A bizarre story, told through the eyes of a young man competing on India's version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'. One question away from the million dollar question, our main character Jamal is arrested and accused of cheating. He has, as time will soon show, become a national hero. Because Jamal does not come from a privileged background. He is, in fact, an orphan who has not had a proper education since he was a young boy. But there is an amazing story intertwined, and it's as dazzling as it is unforgettable.
To prove his honesty, Jamal traces his steps back to the very beginning. He tells the story of his life, weaving in every question asked on the show and applying it to a life lived without any shortcuts. From innocence to maturity, and a never ending search for one girl's affection. We're given access to a side of India rarely seen by outsiders, as beautiful as it is impoverished. There is such passion behind Boyle's direction, an English filmmaker who has given us a very diverse collection of films throughout the years, and he presents us with a picture that desperately seeks for truth and greatness. A vision that affirms life around every corner even when encountering the lowest of lows.
'Slumdog Millionaire' is the right film at the right time. It's an underdog story we can all cheer for, and one that has the awesome potential to move an entire audience. The film's cast, many characters are played by multiple actors as the years pass, all come together to form something very special. Dev Patel in particular, who plays our present day Jamal, is a great young talent who delivers a fine performance. And from its dizzying but fantastic editing to breathtaking cinematography, 'Slumdog Millionaire' is everything you could ask for in a film and then some. Nothing I say could possibly give a film like this justice, you simply have to experience it for yourself and witness the power. 'Slumdog Millionaire' is about as good as they come. A fairytale story you will never forget.
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