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Jamal is one question away from winning 20
million rupees.
How did he do it?
A) He cheated.
B) He's lucky.
C) He's a genius.
D) It is written.
Danny Boyle is, at best, an inconsistent
director who always shows flare and
unrestrained energy in his films.
However, he is not always successful in
creating coherent and gripping cinematic
stories. He can often be very messy.
That being said,
"Slumdog Millionaire" is a shining example
of how certain screenplays can come alive in
the hands of the right director. This
film benefits greatly from the relentless
rat-a-tat-tat energy that Boyle exudes in
every scene. It feels like a film
infused with adrenaline.
Luckily the
screenplay, based on the popular novel Q
& A, is tight enough to harness the
total package into a truly enjoyable and
fascinating journey. It is hard not to
enjoy a film packed with so much
inspiration, determination, passion and
hope. Virtually everyone in the
audience will love something about this
film.
Jamal is a young man
who emerges from the slums of Mumbai along
with his brother, Salim, and their mutual
friend, Latika. Jamal loves Latika
dearly, but keeps losing her in the
tumultuous lives they lead. After
run-ins with all the wrong sorts of people
and a nasty split from his wayward brother,
Jamal is left desperately trying to find his
long lost love. His idea -- to try his
luck on the most popular TV show in India,
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"
The film intercuts
scenes from Jamal's life with his appearance
on the show and the police interrogation he
must endure after reaching the final
question. After all, how does an
uneducated Mumbai slumdog make it that far
on Millionaire?
This film is an
unquestioned crowd pleaser -- bursting at
the seams with hope, faith and love.
"Slumdog Millionaire" should be at the very
top of your must-see list in 2008. It
will assuredly make my year-end Top 10 List
and should absolutely merit Oscar
consideration.
©
Written by TC Candler
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