Good but overrated

Rating: 7/10 (28 April 2009)

I finally saw this movie on DVD last night and i thought it was pretty engaging and gripping especially the first half of the movie, showing the harsh realities of kids growing up in the slums of Bombay. But unfortunately, the movie sort of fell apart in the final 30 minutes or so. Seemed like it was a deliberate part by the director to make everything right in the end and make it a feel good, love story, when instead the dark story of how the little kids grew up in poverty could have been developed further. The chemistry just wasn't there between Jamaal and Latika and we never know why exactly is he so in love with this girl and never gives up on searching for her time and time again. I have read several comments here from my fellow Indians about how they are all upset that this movie shows the ugly side of India to the western audience. i don't think it was Danny Boyle's intention to insult Indians here at all. Danny Boyle when responding to Indian critics asked them to treat this simply as a work of art, which is exactly what it is - a beautifully told love story set in the backdrop of Bombay slums, nothing more, nothing less. It is unrealistic to expect a western filmmaker to portray India the way "mainstream bollywood" directors do. Fact is more than 60% of the country still lives in poverty, despite the growing economy and higher incomes and purchasing power of the middle class, and if this makes you uncomfortable, then just stick to watching the song and dance bollywood musicals.