Delightful pacing, an engaging emotional story and Dev Patel

Rating: 10/10 (25 December 2008)

I hate to gush, especially when a movie hits the formulaic notes of sappy heartstring-pulling...
but this one is worth it. Boyle moves beyond the formula -- not a lot, but enough to keep you smiling and interested and saddened and everything else that comes with the story of one of the billion or so people from the world's slums. He has captured a gorgeous depiction of India and a lovely romance.
There are some weak points: The romance is nearly entirely left up to the viewer to provide, unreasonable coincidences must be ignored, and the tragic but happy ending is obvious from very early on.
There are worse flaws, though, and here, they make sense. This is a bigger-than-life picture befitting a bigger-than-life locale and paying homage to Indian cinema. The dance scene during the credits is a tiny added pleasure.
Go see this to feel good and be entertained.