Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire

Ok I am not a movie critic who analyzes all of the details of a movie, so I am just going to give you my impression of Slumdog Millionaire.

Briefly, the film is about a boy who grew up in the slums of Mumbai, going through a number of traumatic experiences, and as a young man appears on the India version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." He does extremely well and ends up arrested right after the show because the show's host thinks he cheated. So the storyline is about 30% in the present, being interrogated by the police, and 70% flashbacks to explain his life and the reason he knows all the answers to the questions in the game.

First of all, I am really drawn to films that show life in parts of the world that are very different compared to the U.S. The film was shot in Mumbai and Agra India, mostly in the slums, so it seems like we get a real depiction of what slum life is like (as compared to cities in Africa I have seen). The camera will often sweep up and show the developed city as a contrast to the slums. The camera work was really pleasing. I also enjoyed the completely different culture that was shown in the movie. I am not an expert on Indian life, but hopefully the director was true to it.

Of the last 3 movies I have seen in theaters, Kirk Cameron was the only person I recognized. I appreciate films that do not have any well known actors because it doesn't distract from the story at all. Slumdog had all Indian actors, and Captain Abu Raed had all Jordanian/other middle eastern actors. Beth and I really loved the children actors and the lead actor was very talented and likeable.

The story itself was very intense, ranging the full spectrum of emotions. From real joy to the sick feeling that you get when you see children abused/exploited in various ways. And actually it jumps between those two quite often. Your heart is broken for the children because you know this is really going on in the world today, and is enraged at the adults who have no compassion and only care about their own profit.

Overall, I loved the film. Beth liked it too and knew that although it was hard to watch, we benefited for it.

The film is not without controversy though. One that wikipedia mentions is that some are offended by the title, which implies that people living in slums are dogs. While I cannot relate to how they feel, I think that after watching the movie I understand the title; the police were clearly expressing their prejudice that I think is a real attitude in the world.

Another controversy is that Hindus feel that their beliefs and life are not depicted accurately. The scene that I think this refers to is when a mob of Hindus attack a Muslim neighborhood, killing and setting buildings on fire. The concerned people feel that this is a one-sided portrayal of the religious conflict in India. While I do not know the specifics of the Hindu-Muslim conflict. I have heard first hand accounts of Hindu brutality towards Christians in India from a missionary though, so I know that they are at least capable, and even inclined towards what is shown in the movie.

Conclusion: See the movie!