Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

This indie sleeper (no pun intended) that almost didn’t get a theatrical release, has become a cause celeb in the movie world right now, no doubt in part because of its able director Danny Boyle’s tireless promotion. Boyle believes in this project to an uncommon degree, all the more impressive because he first passed the script over when it was almost dismissively presented to him as a movie about a game show. It is about a game show, the most popular game show in the world, India’s version of Who Wants to be A Millionaire, but that’s just a framing device for a sometimes awkward, but sincere fable juxtaposed against the harsh realities of Indian street life. It’s a rare movie that can be simultaneously described as feel good and traumatic, and that in itself indicates that its going to have cohesion and tonal issues. Yet it has been described like Rocky, it makes you feel good, though to be honest I found that effect a little muted myself, but I think that’s because the expectation game set everything so high. Still a remarkable accomplishment, a beautiful looking film that through its embrace of certain story conventions, has provided opportunity for numerous Americans to see the appalling conditions under which most of the worlds inhabitants live… and they also get to see a Bollywood-type musical number, so good for the viewers on two fronts. Coming after the underdog year of Barak Obama, it also ironically captures something of our national mood, hopes and aspirations. My current prediction for this years Oscar best picture winner. 5 out of 5.