By Justina Reinold
Throughout “Slumdog Millionaire” you can’t help but root for Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) as he battles everyone from local gangs to his power-ridden older brother.
“Slumdog Millionaire” takes you on a bumpy ride through Jamal’s life, growing up in Mumbai, India, where he and his brother, Salim struggle to survive each day. Money, food, and shelter are not guaranteed each morning they awake.
The camera work consisting of bizarre camera angles and quick, sometimes disturbing, flashbacks keep you on the edge of your seat.
In one powerful scene, young Jamal and Salim are playing in a pool while their mother washes clothes. Behind her, a train screeches to stop. Here, it becomes obvious that something bad is about to happen.
Fear takes over as their mother screams for the boys to run. As the camera flashes back and forth, you see everything through their mother's eyes. The train. Her boys. For the last time.
Suddenly, you hear nothing but the faint sound of water splashing followed by a blurry image of a mob running towards her.
The muffled background noises change back to normal the moment their mother is attacked by the anti-Muslim’s. This creative use of sound jolts the viewer back to reality. Things are going to get worse before they get any better.
Jamal and Salim end up in the hands of child-traffickers being forced to beg tourists for food and money. The bond of brotherhood is apparent but Jamal’s true love stands in the way.
Latika (Freida Pinto), the “third Musketeer,” slips through Jamal’s fingers numerous times, only causing him to try harder. Latika’s striking beauty and vibrant wardrobe make her character stand out among the rest.
So how does Jamal end up one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” How could a “slumdog” know so much?
The show’s host wonders the same thing and has Jamal taken in for questioning where he is brutally tortured. In Jamal’s case it was not an extraordinary education that got him in the hot seat, but a combination of the different chapters of his life. Each seemingly impossible question triggers a memory that reveals the answer.
One question remains a mystery. What is this “slumdog” with no desire for such riches really doing on the game show?
The answer to the final question tells all. It is written.
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Trailers and videos
Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance
Movie Rating: R for some violence, disturbing images, language
Running Time: 120 minutes
Language: English, Hindi
Star Rating: 8.6/10
Release Date: January 23, 2009
Rent Date: March 31, 2009
Awards: Won 8 Oscars. Another 76 wins & 26 nominations
Trailers and videos
Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance
Movie Rating: R for some violence, disturbing images, language
Running Time: 120 minutes
Language: English, Hindi
Star Rating: 8.6/10
Release Date: January 23, 2009
Rent Date: March 31, 2009
Awards: Won 8 Oscars. Another 76 wins & 26 nominations
Good review. I like the short quick paragraphs. I also like that you mention a couple of the important scenese in the movie while also not giving away to much information.
ReplyDeleteI like this, especially the ending! I get the "It is written" part because I've seen the movie, though I'm not sure those who haven't would understand. Either way, I really like your ending.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED your kicker. I also liked how you described the scene in which the mother dies.
ReplyDeleteThe kicker is good; it doesn't give too much away, but for people who have seen the film, they will understand what it means.
ReplyDeleteOverall the review was written well, but I felt as though you took too long to get to the part about the game show, which essentially the rest of the film revovles around.
I thought your review was good. You provided the reader with good details about the beginning scene. Although, it took you a little bit to get to the game show part. Nice kicker!
ReplyDelete