Review: Slumdog Millionaire

There are very few movies in this world that manage to make it into my list of favourite films; and the ones that do usually have to do something spectacular to make the grade. For example, I love "A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints" because I really connect with the characters and the story.

Then comes along Slumdog Millionaire; directed by Danny Boyle. A story involving a poor Indian boy, who tells tale of his life through a series of flashbacks when he is accused for cheating on an Indian version of "Who wants to be a millionaire". Now, being a white, British teenager; my initial thoughts would be that I wouldn't be able to connect on any sort of emotional level with this movie, I was oh so so wrong!

The film grips you from the very beginning with it's interogation scenes and never lets go, from the young (and slightly naiive) Jamal that you meet in the first flashback, to the one you are rooting for some 10 years later towards the film's climax. This highlights the first reason why it is in my list of favourite movies; it's always an acheivement when a director really gives you a sense of time and journey within less than a two hour screen time. But Danny Boyle pulls it off speclatulary here; with his choice of "Hand-held" shots and incredible vistas to play with.

Of course, the direction would be nothing without a great/well-written story and wonderfully drawn characters to boot; which this has in spades! Every character feels vital and more importantly; real. This is also helped by the fantastic acheivements from the actors themselves with a young rising cast including Dev Patel (of "Skins" fame) and a host of relatiely unknowns.

The second reason I loved this so much was the soundtrack. A great sense of India is made through a carefully chosen selection of tracks; something Danny Boyle is famous for; his soundtracks (e.g. Born Slippy - Trainspotting OST).

All in all, this inspirational and extremely uplifting film should go down in cinema history, as a fine example of what British cimema can accomplish!

10/10

Much Props! :D