Slumdog Millionaire (2008) (Movie Review)

  It’s fun looking back on films that were smash-hits upon their release, just to see if opinion’s, views, or even personal feelings have changed. For today’s topic, let’s take a look back at what was arguably the biggest hit movie of 2008 … or maybe second biggest behind “The Dark Knight” … but definitely the most acclaimed for its time … a little sleeper hit called “Slumdog Millionaire”. Back in the day, everyone was talking about this film, it’s praises were being sung in the street, and it swept the Academy Awards winning Eight Oscars out of ten nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screen Play. I was just as swept-up in the craze for this movie, and I distinctly remember adoring it upon my first viewing. However, in the time sense, while audiences certainly remember the film, they’re just not praising it the way they did back in it’s prime. I freely admit that, while I’ve always maintained fondness for the film, I’ve never been able to recapture that same sense of “aww” and love I initially felt during my first viewing experience. Makes me wonder if this was just a positive movie we needed during a depressing time, or if it was maybe over-praised … or perhaps it really was as great as initially acclaimed, and we just forgot. Either way, I’m excited to back on this Oscar winning hit, and revisit what works, what doesn’t, and how the film should probably be viewed overall.  

  Adapted from the 2005 novel “Q & A”, by Indian Author Vikas Swarup, “Slumdog Millionaire” tells the story of a young Indian boy named Jamal Malik. As a contestant on India’s “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”, Jamal surpasses all expectations by answering every question correctly, despite his rough up-bringing on the streets and slums of India. He’s so successful that he’s accused of cheating, is taken into custody, and forced to recount his rather unpleasant life-story to the Chief Inspector. As we dive into the different ages of his past, Jamal illustrates how he knew each answer correctly, and never cheated. Further twists and secrets take shape, and in the end, it’s revealed the young man didn’t even go onto the show in an effort to win money. Instead, he simply went on the show to get the attention of the two most important people in his life. The first being his backstabbing brother Salim, who abandoned him when they were older kids, and now serves a powerful gangster. The other is a young Indian woman named Latika, who he’s loved ever sense childhood, and who he’s consistently been torn away from through various unfortunate events. Will he be cleared of the charges, reunited with his love, and finally make a good life for himself? Well … even if the answer is obvious … the film certainly knows what its strengths are, and is effectively engaging to watch … if arguably manipulative ... but let’s break things down one step at a time.   

  The cast all around is solid, with an effective ensemble of child actors, who all feel very natural in the transitioning growth of our three principal characters. Dev Patel delivered a star-turning performance in the lead role of older Jamal. Madhur Mittal is also good as Jamal’s conflicted brother Salim, although I admittedly found the characters younger portrayals to be a little more memorable. Freida Pinto also left a note-worthy impression in her very first movie role as the older version of Jamal’s love interest Latika. Aside from being ridiculously beautiful, she carries herself in each scene with genuine emotional weight, while also balancing a reserved sense of strength. Aside from the main three, we also have Anil Kapoor, who slips naturally into the role of the Game Show hoist. My personal favorite performance goes to the late Irrfan Khan in the role of the tough-as-nails Inspector, who’s interrogating Jamal throughout the film. Even in small supporting roles, Irrfan Khan was one of those talents with a magnetic screen presence, and made each line delivery feel imposing ... “Well, the Slumdog Barks!”

  It should next be noted that … despite its Indian setting, cast, and source material, “Slumdog Millionaire” was actually a British produced film, with English Director Danny Boyle at the helm. Even the film’s leading star Dev Patel first got the directors attention for his performance on the British Drama series “Skins”. Director Danny Boyle himself is a versatile filmmaker to say the least, and has often merged genera’s together to create something with a unique voice. 

Sometimes his distinct approach resulted in big hits like “127 Hours” and “28 Days Later”, while other times it was lesser films like “The Beach”. “Slumdog Millionaire” commonly has the distinction of being his most successful work, and as noted above, marked the directors first Oscar win. It’s certainly one of his most stylized efforts, as it’s mostly paced with the energy of a music video, and has a striking visual flair that honestly makes me feel like I’m watching a live action Anime. I’m not sure if that was the director’s intent, but that’s certainly what it feels like. With a number of creative camera angles, shot compositions, and brilliantly arranged editing methods, it almost feels like “Slumdog Millionaire” was aiming to be the “Citizen Kane” of young adult Dramas. On that note, while the film is labeled as a Drama, it could also be categorized as an Art-House film. That’s not to say it’s as creatively abstract as most films of the genera, but it’s stylized presentation certainly puts it above conventional film Drama’s. Naturally, just about all the technical’s on display received Oscar recognition, including Best Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Cinematography, although it did loose one nomination for Best Sound Editing to “The Dark Knight”.

  Also, working in conjunction with the films stylish presentation is a breathlessly exciting musical score by Indian composer A. R. Rahman. It’s an awesome track, which I frequently listen to while I’m either working-out or jogging. Naturally, this music also won the Oscar for Best original Score. On that note, my favorite individual scene in the whole film is the triumphant conclusion, which is presented as the films only musical number. This sudden dance sequence serves as the Outro of the film, playing over the closing credits, and it’s the perfect high-note to end the film on. The song “Jai Ho” is ridiculously catchy, up-beat, and once again was worthy of Oscar recognition, winning Best Original Song. As if that weren’t enough, the movie features another terrific song called “O Saya”, which was also nominated at the Oscars for Best Original Song. How about that … a non-musical received two Oscar nods for original Songs.

  Needless to say, between the films exhilarating music, distinct visual approach, and genuinely human performances, the film is consistently engaging to watch, and makes two hours feel like twenty minutes. However, I should note that the film became the subject of some controversy, mainly from viewers in India, who’ve critiqued the film as being too polished, and unworthy of its positive reputation when compared to other good movies actually produced from India. I can sympathize with that, and I’m certainly not going to pretend that the film is without fault. For instance, it always felt a little over the top for the police to subject Jamal to aggressive means of torture on the suspicion of cheating on a game show. I understand interrogating him on suspicion, but electrocution, and dunking his head in what looks like a bucket full of blood always felt a bit much. The shifts in tone can also be a little jarring at times. For instance, there’s a goofy scene with Jamal as a boy drenched in poop, and trying desperately to get an autograph from a visiting celebrity, which is a funny scene on its own. However, it’s immediately followed by a very disturbing sequence involving the Bombay Riots, and the brutality on display doesn’t match the goofiness that proceeded it.    

  I also wish some of the flashbacks could have been expanded upon, especially the sequence set during Jamal’s early teenage years, in which he’s first reunited with a teenage Latika. Following an exciting rescue, Jamal’s older brother instantly betrays him, joins a group of gangsters, and takes Latika for himself all in a single evening. Personally, I with this sequence took shape over a number of days, or perhaps even weeks, as opposed to one single night. I feel the two romantic teens needed more time to bond together, and I’d have liked to see the older brother’s attitude gradually deteriorate, as opposed to instantly flipping on a dime. Actually, most of the brothers transitions in the film seem to happen in a quick snap. Near the end, he chooses to free Laticia and aid his brother, but we never really see him come to any kind of self-realization that he was wrong, and it just feels like something he's doing for the sake of the plot to move forward, rather then a natural development of the character.  

  With all that said, it’s important to view the narrative of “Slumdog Millionaire” as one based around emotions as opposed to logic. In fact, despite being set in the real world, the film mainly follows the fairytale conventions of … what I’d like to refer to as “emotional storytelling”. All forward momentum in the story is fueled by emotions, with both logic and even plausibility playing little part. In other words, it’s not giving the viewer what you Ethically or Logically want to see, it’s simply taking you on a journey, and giving you what your emotions want to see. 

Can this approach be manipulative at times … sure … but I think this approach mostly works in the favor of “Slumdog Millionaire”, especially when considering the premise. The movie delivers a humble message about paying attention to the details in your life, and how it can significantly impact your future. However, you still need to stretch realms of plausibility for a premise in which every single question on this game show coincided with the linear events of one person’s journey. As such, an emotionally driven story versus a logical one is the right choice, and it’s further complimented by the films art-house style presentation. Had the film been more grounded with its tone, and less stylized, it would have clashed with the simplistic emotional narrative of the story. Thus, for all the issues in the film, I feel both the direction and screenplay go hand in hand to deliver an experience that’s every bit as entertaining, as it is moving in it's own humble way.   

  When it comes to my favorite movie Drama’s, few others mix intense emotions, while also being highly fun to watch. The characters hold your interest, the cast all around is wonderful, it looks great, and the music is electrifying. Even the jarring shifts in tone do at least lead to scenes that can be viewed as either really funny or effectively disturbing on their own. Also, weather you choose to let your emotions carry the experience or not, the journey of the lead character is still worth taking. After all these years, I still can’t help but think fondly of this film. Rarely do Oscar winning Pictures stick with me as personal favorites, but this is a special exception, in which it not only deserved its acolytes, but it’s consistently engaged me with repeat viewings. It may have its faults, but it’s never the less an experience that’s every bit as exciting as it is emotionally resonate.

Thanks for reading my review of the Oscar winning 2008 picture “Slumdog Millionaire” … and continue to enjoy the movies you love.