'Slumdog Millionaire' (2008)

Rating: 9/10 (9 March 2012)

Interestingly enough, 'Slumdog Millionaire' was directed by Danny Boyle, the same guy who brought us '28 Days Later', however I have to say that 'Slumdog Millionaire' definitely outshines his earlier work. It's nice when a director can up and change his direction so easily, it's like he didn't even have to stop and think about what he was going to do here, he just knew. The story is inspiring and heartfelt, yet it has its moments of sadness, humor, violence, whatever. In a way, I was slightly reminded of 'City Of God' with some of the camera work and the scenery, although 'Slumdog Millionaire' takes place on the other side of the world from where 'City Of God' was set.
The young child actors are exceptionally notable in this case, they do such a great job at displaying emotions toward one another that it almost feels natural. I have never heard of any of the actors in this film before, but our protagonist Jamal, played by Dev Patel, is a wonderful actor and I hope to see him in another movie soon. Anil Kapoor is also notable as our game show host, who is great at playing a two-face. I haven't read the book from which this film was based, but it is a novel, not a memoir or a biography, so it is a tale of fiction. However, it is such an extraordinary triumph of the human spirit, it makes you wish it was real.
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE -----9/10.