Ever since Danny Boyle broke onto the film scene with Shallow Grave, he has gifted us with wonderful films. Trainspotting, The Beach, 28 Days Later, and now, Slumdog Millionaire.
However I write the next sentence, it will make the film sound shit; so maybe just ignore it?
The film revolves around a teenage boy from the slums competing on the game show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
The film uses the game show as a tool, to allow the audience to see the most important parts of our protagonist’s (Jamal’s) life. The answers to the game show’s questions relate to important turning points in his life. So for the duration of the game show, we are lead through Jamal’s life; the death of his mother, the betrayal of his brother, and perhaps most importantly, the conflicts he has to overcome, to be with the girl he loves.
It becomes obvious early on that the money is the least of Jamal’s concerns - he is using his appearance on the show in the hope that it will reunite him with the girl he has always loved. Predictably, Jamal’s story culminates at the final twenty million dollar question, but that takes nothing away from what is a fine piece of cinematic work.
Apart from a rather cheesy dance routine at the end, Danny Boyle manages, again, to pull off a great viewing experience. Balancing the chronology perfectly, the audience is left constantly questioning which aspect of the story is more important, the past or the present?
From Skins to Hollywood blockbuster, Dev Patel makes the jump comfortably. I will confess to having never watched Skins, but the kid gave a more than adequate effort in his role as Jamal.
Something tells me this film will be more widely received than any of Boyle’s previous work; it is basically a love story. But that should not ward off his die hard fans, it is a very good film.
Slumdog Millionaire: 4/5
so so SO wanted to review this.
I love you Danny Boyle. Amen.
Can’t wait to see it.
I would love to see Boyle win an Oscar for this.