It makes perfect sense to me that I would inaugurate this blog with a review of Slumdog Millionaire, which won Best Picture this past Sunday at the Oscars. I'll start off by saying that based on the films I've seen this year, the right movie won the prize. Now to the real review.
Slumdog Millionaire is basically the story of boy who grows up in the slums of Mumbai and goes on to win the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? However, it is more than that, as we follow Jamal through his entire childhood to see why an uneducated child from the slums knew the answers that put him through the show. Gradually, we begin to see that his driving force is not the money but his love for Latika, a girl he meets while his slum is being attacked by Hindu extremists. A series of terrible events throughout their childhood end up separating them, so Jamal goes on the game show because he knows she will be watching. It isn't spoiling anything to tell you that this movie ends happily, with Jamal and Latika kissing for the first time in a train station.
The real quality of this film lies in its joy. Even while portraying extreme poverty and the accompanying depravity (including gangs, "charities," and prostitution), Jamal keeps a spirit of resilient optimism that guides him through the darkest of times. The award-winning cinematography, with its bright colors and bouncy editing, keeps this exuberance in the foreground of the entire film. A Bollywood dance number over the credits celebrates the fulfillment of the story in a way that pays tribute to the uniquely Indian character of the movie.
Critics have said that Slumdog Millionaire trades realism for escapist fantasy. I would say that they are missing the point. Of course the movie is a fantasy. The movie is a kind of visual magical realism, in which an impossible series of coincidences help Jamal navigate the very real world of extreme poverty. Some critics have also said that since the movie was directed by a British man, it simply presents Western fantasies about the poor. I think this is untrue because the situations are realistic, and not every person reacts in a perfect way (especially Salim, Jamal's brother). So at least from what I can tell, the movie is not pandering to Western ideals.
What makes this film so special? It could be that its director is known mostly for his zombie film 28 Days Later, and this is a surprise. It could be the earnestness that jumps off the screen, from the acting to the cinematography. It could be that this movie was an underdog, and its success is inspiring. But to be honest, it's hard for me to put into words what exactly makes this movie so special, so I heartily recommend that you go see it, and decide for yourself.
As an endnote, I'd like to say that I'm hoping that Slumdog's win at the Oscars will spark new interest in Americans about foreign film. With the world shrinking so quickly, it is important to know about what artists around the world are saying. By listening to what they have to say, dialogue with other cultures will be easier and more respectful.
