Film: Slumdog Millionaire

Director: Danny Boyle

Producer: Christian Colson

Writer: Simon Beaufoy

Starring: Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Dev Patel

Runtime: 120 minutes

Rating: R

Every once in a while, a film comes along that reminds audiences just how powerful the medium is. Whether it’s an intricate, well-told story or a film that’s so beautiful it takes your breath away, certain films resonate louder and leave a lasting impact. “Slumdog Millionaire” is such a movie, standing above the rest, ready to win over hearts everywhere.

Jamal Malik (Ayush Mahesh Khedekar as a child, Dev Patel as an adult) is on the verge of making history. He’s found himself on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire,” just one question away from winning the 20 million rupee question. If he answers correctly, he’ll be the first person to ever win the top prize. But there’s a catch – Malik grew up in the slums of Mumbai, and has never had a formal education. Convinced he’s cheating, police take him into custody to question him. Through the process we learn of Malik’s past and the tragic events that lead to this one defining moment.

When movies set out to tell stories about love and friendship, they almost always fail. It’s easier to have constant drama and turmoil, so when that happy ending does come it will have even more of an impact. Yet the story behind “Millionaire,” despite its downs, has its share of ups, and manages to enthrall and engage. The entire cast expertly works to bring every emotion, no matter how subtle, to the surface in a way that audiences can recognize and sympathize with. But the best part is that they do it in a way that never feels forced. In terms of individual performances, “Doubt” may have surpassed it, but the cast as a whole deserves the highest praise.

Director Danny Boyle, who was behind the surprise hit “28 Days Later,” has shown with “Millionaire” just how versatile his style is. The same chaotic, yet easy to follow cinematography is employed in many scenes. When he used it before, it heightened the tension of being chased down by unusually rabid zombies, but in this instance it adds to the atmosphere of dirty, cluttered streets and a suffocating culture. Boyle also heavily employs the use of Dutch angles, a technique in which the camera is tilted at an angle to illustrate a sense of uneasiness. These simple tricks create a landscape that pulls the viewer in and never once lets go. We’re with Malik as he and his brother make their escape from a host of shady characters, as a hectic life continues all around them.

“Millionaire” has plenty of moments drenched in tension, but thanks to an amazing musical score, there are just enough scenes that give both the characters and the audience a breather. And with such brilliant editing and set design, these moments will have just as much of an impact as any other. In one particular scene we watch a young Malik ride throughout India on a train, while the song “Paper Planes” by artist M.I.A. (which was made famous with its use in the “Pineapple Express” trailer) plays in the background. Every filmic element combines perfectly, producing one of the best montages in recent history.

The love story, which acts as the central conflict for Malik, is handled with confidence and care. Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy delicately handles this plotline, never pushing it so hard that it comes across as a bunch of actors trying really hard for believability, but he never ignores it to the point where it becomes secondary. Again, praise should be given for his efforts in taking something that could have easily been the movie’s downfall and turning it into a profound and inspiring statement on our connections to one another.

“Slumdog Millionaire” is, simply put, an amazing film. Not only will it move you emotionally, but it will also amaze you on an aesthetic level.