Slumdog Millionaire
Monday, January 19, 2009


I hated this movie, because I loved it so much. I hate films that make me cry. I'm a sucker for movies that show the worst and best of people. It was soooo raw. It made me cry to see children in that kind of extreme poverty. This lifestyle has them pegged slumdogs. Yet, these kids are tough, clever, smart, spunky, and adorable: brown skin, curly hair with such big long lashed eyes.

They are survivors.

Latika, Jamal and Salim Malik are the main characters of this movie (based on the book Q&A). If you've ever watched, or read, any Charles Dickens' story, such as Oliver Twist, then this tale fits right in.


We see these children grow to young adults, so the actors who play them add up to nine individuals. As young adults the characters are portrayed by the following: Dev Patel as Jamal, Freida Pinto as Latika (an incredibly beautiful woman), and Salim, who strangely looks like Michael Jackson from his Off the Wall album, is played by Madhur Mittal.


The heart of this story is a love that begins in childhood and never ends. This movie is not sappy. It isn't maudlin. It is about kids who live their lives, without self-pity, without blame, and oddly enough without anger. Extreme poverty and cruelty towards them did not leave them bereft of decency, honestly, or humanity.

I found that aspect interesting, since Western culture loves to have ready made exercises for bad behavior. We seem to have devolved into a no-fault, no-blame, no-shame, and no-responsibility society.

This movie was wholesome, because it was so bald about these children's lives. It's honesty.

I loved the soundtrack, but then again music by A.R Rahman is always pretty phenomenal. This movie was directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan. The film was edited by Chris Dickens (how fitting).

Labels: A.R. Rahman, Charles Dickens, children, Danny Boyle, poor, poverty, Slumdog Millionaire

posted by GoldenAh

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