Slumdog Millionaire Review

It was a treat to the senses. It was an exploration of various emotions. It was not “another Cinderella story” but it was a fairy tale. It was a sensory treat which took place amidst India’s – or rather Mumbai’s – squalor. The scenes were not really surprising – they happen all the time here in this country. Police torture, religion wars and poor education system – all the ingredients of a third-world country. However, the way the director represented the story gave the scenes their own special taste. The representation of the harsh truth was so palpable that you could practically smell Jamal after he jumped into the water full of human feces.

Before watching this, I wondered what's so special about it. After all, it won 8 Oscar trophies. After watching it, I have no doubts about why it was able to kick Benjamin Button’s ass.

The children in the movie were marvelous – and to think, they were not professional actors. They were the ones who gave life to the film. I hope that they’d be given the regard they deserve for this film. Dev Patel, however, was boring. His facial expressions were monotonous all throughout the film. He was not able to truly touch the character of Jamal who was both desperate and hopeful at the same time. I know that the story revolved around Jamal’s love for Latika, but I did not feel Latika. The movie was not really able to fully explore the "why" in Jamal's love for Latika. You would have to conclude that the circumstances that made them clung to each other fueled that love.

I didn’t expect the movie to start with torture, but the story was finally revealed to me as Jamal started to narrate every story behind every correct answer in the game. It was effortlessly created – there was no division in time and space. The movie was able to shuttle forth between the past and the present. Every scene was practically kaleidoscopic. You will root for Jamal all the way. You will love his brother and you would understand how murder could wrongfully empower someone.

The whole thing was undeniably fascinating. The images draw you in even though they are almost ghastly especially that scene where the child's eye was scooped out with a spoon. It was almost heartbreaking to see the same child later in the story. He was forgiving and he still had his spirit in him. The movie was seductive and the ending beautifully capped the whole story.

Geeze. This is the longest review I have ever made. What I am saying is – you should definitely watch it!

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