One of the happiest films that I have seen!

Rating: 10/10 (21 January 2010)

I had been somewhat interested in seeing "Slumdog Millionaire", but a number of things had prevented me from seeing it until just recently. And I have to say that I'm glad that I finally did. It's certainly now one of my favourite films and – despite its quite dark realistic portrayals of third-world injustice – is one of the happiest, most feel-good films in some time.
Having faired exceptionally well on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire", the pauper turned phone-operator Jamal is questioned over his lucky streak with the questions posed to him so far. Held by a detective, he recounts the whirlwind story of his life and explains the reasons for his knowledge. The device of the frame narrative works well, allowing intrigue and a brisk pace in a rather episodic piece, yet ultimately providing sufficient character development. As I have mentioned already, the film touches up on the darker aspects of the developing world – child poverty and exploitation, religious and social tension and mafia culture – yet these are not portrayed in a melodramatic way and actually make one question the lack of Western aid in the world's poorer places as opposed to just imploring one to just feel sorry for the characters themselves.
Indian culture is portrayed in a kaleidoscope of fancy, yet if there is one problem with the film that I did have, it is that the scenes of the two children travelling to the Taj Mahal, as charming as they may be, do seem like an attempt to showcase as much of India as possible.
However, even that doesn't turn "Slumdog Millionaire" into a banal travelogue. "Slumdog Millionaire" is the perfect film in that it completely embraces the true philosophy of cinema: to send the viewer to another world, where escapism is realism and realism is escapism, and dreams really can come true. It is pleasing to know that a film that is truly made for film audiences as opposed to arguably just critics (read: the countless political/biopic films that come out in the last two months of the year) can triumph at that once glorious now haughty event known as the Oscars.