British director Danny Boyle (“28 Days Later”) welcomes you to Mumbai, India-a congested city seen as a myriad of colors and heard as a beat to a rhythm that is as inviting as it is frightening.
Originally released in November, “Slumdog Millionaire” is a drama about destiny that has recently won five Golden Globes and is nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including best picture, best director and best cinematography.
Based on the novel Q&A by Vikras Swarup, “Slumdog Millionaire” is a typical rags-to-riches story told in both English and Hindi and is depicted in an unusual way.
Opening to a backdrop of pulsating contemporary Indian music provided by acclaimed composer A.R. Rahman, the young protagonist Jamal (Dev Patel) has a decision to make.
As an unlikely contestant on India’s “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” Jamal is one question away from his destiny.
Destiny, says Boyle, is “a way of coping with the extraordinary weight of placement in this community” of criminals and corrupted officials eager to add to Jamal’s misfortune.
After being detained the night before the final show under suspicion that he cheated, Jamal is forced to reveal how he found the answer to each question embedded in his past as an orphan growing up in the slums of Mumbai alongside his brother Salim (Madhur Mattil) and love interest Latika (Freida Pinto).
Two sets of child actors are used to depict the orphans as they navigate broken pathways and numerous separations to adulthood. Jamal’s doe-eyed devotion to Latika is endearing, as he remains focused despite the chaos around him to reunite with her by any means possible, including appearing on TV.
The tall and lean British actor Patel is an uncharacteristic image of a hero, which is why Boyle chose him from the hundreds that auditioned for the part. Jamal’s strength is not in muscle, but in his mental determination to overcome obstacles.
Neither was newcomer Pinto, an obvious choice for damsel in distress. The Indian-born actress was formerly a model and anchor of an international travel show before spending six months in auditions for the role of Latika. The careful casting of each proved to be beneficial, though, for their chemistry is authentic and fresh.
“Slumdog Millionaire’s” appeal is the obvious effort put into it.B The story’s themes of love, loss and betrayal are channeled into an eclectic message of hope that satisfies audiences. And with 10 nominations, there is no doubt those responsible for the film will be satisfied too.
