Wednesday, February 11, 2009

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE


SUMMARY:  Slumdog Millionaire is a beautiful romance between two childhood friends, but also shows how money can come between brothers.  The story follows two Indian orphans, Jamal and Salim Malik.  The movie begins with Jamal on the hot seat in the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.  Jamal answers the questions by recounting his childhood memories and telling how he hustled, scraped, and survived to this point in his life.  

ACTING:  Most of the action and lines were done by the two younger actors who must have been at the most nine years old.  These kids gave a convincing role about how it must have been to live in the slums of India at a young age.  They showed fear, anger, jealousy, and playfulness with amazing skill.  The older version of the brothers also gave a persuasive performance - continuing the feud that was started at the young age.  The love that is shared between Jamal and his love interest, Latika, is apparent and heartfelt.

SCRIPT: The writers of this movie developed very funny dialogue between the two brothers, making them seem playful towards each other while offering a hint of problems to come.  The way the story is set up has the viewer off balance and wondering what's really going on.  This helps keep the romance interesting to ALL movie goers.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: The placement of the cameras provide interesting view on what happens in the story.    The camera views give a slightly confusing angles so that everyone's off balance.  Not many stand still shots, but more movement instead.

RE-WATCHABILITY:  A romance can always be watched again for a "warm and fuzzy" feeling but usually thrillers don't have the same "thrill" the second time.  Yet, since this movie encompasses something more passionate, it gives the film a new feeling every time it's watched. 

PLOT: Using a "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" theme to tell a story sounds very tricky, and would be if the writer wasn't confident and good.  This idea, given to the wrong person would probably turn out to be corny and unimpressive.  But, the way the story is woven together in this film, makes the movie so much better and gives little chapters in between the story.  This movie brings the concept of a game-show and life together, providing an interesting look on what fate can bring and love can accomplish.

RATING:  ☃☃☃☃☃ no doubt.

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