‘Slumdog’ remarkable from beginning to end!
The structure with which it builds its drama, along with its vivid intensity make it one of the most powerful films not just of the year, but of the decade. On paper, it seems to have a slight resemblance to “Crash,” or maybe “Babel”, but as I followed it from each significant frame to the next, I truly felt like I was witnessing a movie miracle. It lures you in with an original game show basic, and then once it has you in its grip, it doesn’t let go; and more than that, you don’t want it to.
For the strong cult audience that it has, Boyle’s debut film “Trainspotting” showed how magnificent a story can prevail when it just hits the ground running, and “Slumdog” really took me back to what was then a unique experience with “Trainspotting.” Excitement may be speaking more so for the moment, but putting all the cards down on the table, I think this India-based drama is better. Any Boyle fans who think I’m crazy should just stop reading now, and go see this film before they say something they might regret.
Jumping back and forth with several flashbacks, “Slumdog Millionaire” follows a young man named Jamal (Dev Patel) as he works his way up the ladder on the India version of “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire” (I really miss Regis). With each question, there is a part of Jamal’s life story that explains how he knows the answer.
As the questions get more and more difficult, the stories become more and more powerful, and eventually the young man is accused of cheating. Torture from the investigators gets them nowhere, so they sit him down for an interrogation and that’s when the fairy-tale really takes off. Seriously, how could a bum on the street with no education be so smart?
The answer to that question lies within an ultimatum of poverty that is shown through the film’s vast depiction of India’s cultural history. People are persecuted for their religious beliefs, gangs are at war and children are made into slaves. You think it’s annoying to stand in those long lines at Wal-Mart every afternoon? Try waiting in-line for a trip to the outhouse.
All of this depressing imagery gives us a taste of what becomes an utter admiration for Jamal as he recounts the hardship that is his very existence. He practically lives for facing insurmountable odds, and to see him keep his spirits high really makes you appreciate just how lucky many of us are.
Of course, there is a woman amidst all of this, and her name is Latika (Freida Pinto). Very catchy name if I say so myself, but anyway, she comes into Jamal’s life only to have him immediately fall in love with her, and when she disappears, it is up to his story to tell the rest because I can’t spoil it.
In fact, the only reason he even tried to get onto the show in the first place was so that he could find her; apparently she is quite a huge fan of the show and watches it religiously.
Aside from the extraordinary performances from its unknown leads, “Slumdog Millionaire” is a truly astonishing piece of directorial craft. Danny Boyle has always managed to make each film his own in some special way that adheres to his cult following, but this is much, much more than that.
The cinematography is astounding as viewers become pitted right into the center of all the emotion. We feel not just for the leads, but even for the extras in the background as they scrimp and save everything they can get just hoping to see tomorrow.
Behind Boyle’s dazzling visual edits, A.R. Rahman composes a very touching score that hits every single note on the dot. When the audience is meant to feel happy or sad at a certain point, every little thing about the scene pushes that feeling over the edge… and it works tremendously every time.
In my earliest reviewing days at the dawn of “The Departed,” I needed at least three or four runs on a film to convince myself that it could be flawless, and having garnered a closer vision over time of what makes a true Oscar-worthy picture, I know in my heart that “Slumdog Millionaire” is the first nail on the board for February.
Every single scene counts, and much like previous nominees, it is taking its time broadening out to the widest audience. How the world responds will be the deciding factor as to just how far Boyle can take this masterpiece, but if it were my question on the hot spot, then my final answer is simple: say hello to your first Best Picture nominee! And if “Crash” was any indication in 2006, early birds usually do get the freshest batch of seeds; in this case… seeds of perfection!
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Jan 30 2009. Filed under Reviews.
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