Slumdog Millionaire (DVD, 2009, Checkpoint; Sensormatic; Widescreen)

While I get the "feel good" story about a kid from the streets overcoming incredible odds to win love and fortune, I never felt vested with any of these characteristics. While at least in part this may be due to the foreign nature of the film and setting, I believe it is more due to the tremendous inconsistency in the characters. Each of the main players vacillates tremendously between their darker natures and more optimistic character. Jamal Malik, the title character, is basically a thief. Through most of the movie he is a kid on the make, at one point stealing shoes and running a fake tour guide business at the Taj Mahal. His brother, Salim, takes this even further, turning to violence, ultimately working for one of India's greatest gangsters as an enforcer and assassin. Latika seems to be almost totally at the mercy of the men around her. She follows Jamal & Salim for protection, but becomes a virginal concubine for a Fagin-like character who uses young children to beg on the streets of Mumbai. She gives herself to Salim, presumably to protect Jamal, but is next seen as the plaything of Javed, the gangster. Jamal goes legit, working as a cold-caller for a cell phone company. Salim ultimately plays the consummate romantic (won't spoil this) to bring the lovers together. Latika finds the strength (or does she borrow Salim's and Jamal's?) to break free. The story itself, as horrible and realistic a portrayal of Indian squalor and street life it may be, also gets stretched too far. The idea that in modern India the police would concern themselves with the whims of a TV host (the Indian version of Regis Philbin) is ridiculous. I wonder how the Indian government feels about depictions of apathy (a man on fire in the background as Indian policemen play cards), cruelty (using electricity to elicit confessions), and Keystone Kops routines (running little beggars off the local airstrip). The music is great. The scenes of Indian squalor are wonderful, if a bit overly colorful. But the characters don't quite touch.

Slumdog millionaire won 8 Oscars, another 87 wins & 27 nominations at other award venues. So my expectations were high.

Slumdog absolutely lived up to the hype. It was amazing, one of the best movies that has been made in a long time. Can you believe that this movie was almost released straight to DVD. This is the first film since Schindler's List to win Best Picture, Director and Screenplay at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and the Oscars.

Danny Boyle's direction in this movie sucked me in from the get go. From the opening moments until the final scene, I was fully engaged. Such as, when the young Jamal got locked into the bathroom and jumps into the excrament to get the autograph of his favorite celebrity. It was all at once quickly moving, romantic, violent and culturally insightful. The film was shot on location in India, mostly in Mumbai. Slumdog Millionaire is another testament of the depth of Danny Boyle, who has directed other films like Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and Sunshine.

I hope this was somewhat helpful thank you.

this movie is based on novel Q & A by Vikas Swarup. Winner of golden globes & oscars. Not just anyother hollywood storyline, its very unique one. it has every element, romance, comedy, action, commitment, tragedy and musical. story about a boy from the slums of mumbai india who ends up on the indian version of "who wants be me a millionaire" tv show and is one question away from winning it. All the struggles as an orphan give him clues to every question. Is it in his destiny to win it all and find his lost love via the tv show? find out...

When this movie first came out I had no desire to see it. I had heard all the hype about how great it was and how it swept all the awards. I had no idea what the story was exactly about until my sister told me the premise of the movie: a contestant is being held by the police to find out how he was able to answer so many question correct on India's version of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire'. While not giving too much away, he knows the answers because of events in his life.

I won't say anymore. That was enough to get me to see it and boy, was it worth seeing. By the end of the movie I was on the edge of my seat (I won't tell you why though...).

I watched it the second time with my 70+ yr old mother and 10 yr old great-niece and they both fell in love with this movie. This is clearly a movie for all ages.

The music mix outstanding, but rap difficult to understand. Dancing ok, and Romeo e Juliet story exciting.
Good cinematic symbols, and 50K feet of feces to get the autograph the BEST!! Malik had to continually deal with 'stuff' on his quest for Latika - sound familiar?
Bollywood getting better, the Taj changeless (except for weather degradation) - India continues to absorb any and everything bestowed on her, but Hindu culture is certainly challenged by the West as never before. Having lived there 40 years ago (MacNamara Go Home), the dynamics of IT, ATT, GE, CIA, US hegemony, and Asian consciousness are awesome.
Can't quite imagine the next 40 year shift, but Slumdog is a picture of this time and place south of the Himalayas. See it soon.