Film

A Gem of a 'Slumdog'

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Director Danny Boyle has done it again. ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is simply the most electrifying and magnificent story about human experiences. Yes, the acclaimed director who helmed ‘Trainspotting’, ’28 Days Later’, ‘Millions’, ‘Sunshine’ – all of them my favorite films even though the latter in the group fell under the radar – takes on an obscure tale that is a fascinating life mirror into the 21st century of Mumbai.

The story begins with Jamal Malik who is one question away from winning 20 million rupees on India’s “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” Jamal is instantly under suspicion of cheating and the question of how can a penniless orphan from the slums of Mumbai have knowledge of life and love becomes the center attention. From that point on Boyle takes the audience into the most stylish and heartwarming ride to understand what is written in Jamal’s destiny. The script is based on Vikas Swarup’s debut novel Q and A – that mixes loves story, a boy’s strife and human wonder within modern India. The end result is no fairytale but a message of hope; where an ordinary man can triumph against the odds of society.

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is definitely a surprising film with a layered story that carries different emotions throughout. Jamal’s journey is full of nostalgia, love and humorous situations that have inspire him to pursue his true path – that of love and prosperity. Boyle’s fresh perspective for the story and India itself allows him to create a believable style with a contrast of dark and light of Mumbai, from the rich and opulent to the poorest and wretched corners of the city. The effect is not only mesmerizing but also an environment that anchors Jamal’s story and hypnotizes the audience. “The film’s a fairy tale and like all the best fairy tales, it’s got light and shade. So, one minute we were at the Taj Mahal, which is one of the most beautiful places you will ever see, and the next we were at some incredible tough places. It was quite an odyssey…,” reveals one of the producers in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

However, the oddisey will be incomplete without the amazing cast behind the characters. Dev Patel plays Jamal Malik and his portrayal is nothing short of attention-grabbing. The same goes for Freida Pinto who plays his love interest Latika and renowned actor Irrfan Khan (‘The Namesake’) as the police inspector who wants to unravel the truth behind Jamal. ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is an epic tale of the most unlikely character where people, money, love and the human spirit are entangle to one another – and the end result is beyond belief. Thanks to Danny Boyle the film is a cinematic wonder.

The film opens in select theatres Nov. 12

Check out ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Official Site