Slumdog Millionaire

[Thunderhoof]

A really, really fun movie experience.

A few things that I particularly liked about this one:
1) It took me to a different place (India)
2) It led me through a wide range of emotions
3) It employed a storytelling method that I enjoyed a great deal (the way they used the gameshow was great)
4) I didn't know any of the actors
5) I got really wrapped up in the characters, particularly the main character.

The experience, on the whole, reminded me a lot of the way I felt about City of God a few years ago. There are plot similarities there, to be sure.

My wife and I didn't go to the theater to see this movie. We had intended to see Doubt and bought tickets to see that movie. When we got into the theater we saw that nearly all of the seats were full so we hopped over and saw Slumdog instead.

I didn't really know much of anything about the movie before we saw it, so the experience was almost totally fresh. I always like it when that happens, and frequently it's foreign films that hit me that way. There are some subtitles in this movie, but quite a bit of English, too.

There is a certain predictability that unfolds as the movie wears on, and that might bother some people. I tend to find that predictability natural when a story does a good job of character development.

See this movie if you get the chance. Solid A.

 

[YChang]

I agree, this was one of the best movies of this year, and there is already considerable Oscar buzz for this film also.

 

[Texas0407]

Awesome movie. Go see this film.

 

[ADMIRALSTOCKDALE]

a little spoilerish.....



i actually thought the storytelling would have been much better if he had gone on the gameshow at the very end and then flashed back to the moments in time where he learned the answers.
the relationship between the brothers was really special, the girl was off the charts smoking hot and the all of the indian culture was amazing.
the bollywood dancing during the credits was fun too.

 

[Lamp]

Maybe my favorite film of 2008. Great acting, a rooting interest for the underdog, predictable but entertaining plot, and a compelling picture of poverty in India. I also didn't know much of the movie before seeing it which I think made it so surprisingly good. The girl is really hot as well.

 

[RomaVicta]

Couldn't agree more. Great ride, broad emotional experience, fascinating immersion into a different culture. Great movie.

 

[LongestHorn]

I couldn't have been more suprised by this film. It deserves more recognition.

 

[sportswriter]

agreed, thought it was great movie. saw this and Doubt on back to back days. i think i'd rate Doubt a half-notch higher (not by much), but I'm a huge Phillip Seymour Hoffman fan, so that probably clouds my judgment.

 

[TR_Horn]

<douchecomment>

The book is better (and this version is a butchered version of it) - and I believe that City of God is a far, far better movie. Some amazing cinematography at the beginning though (tapers off) - overall definitely worth a looksie. You will enjoy it if you have not read the book.

</douchecomment>

 

[Namewithheld]

I was wondering where pay toilets came from.................now I know.

 

[bevo barry]

I don't think India's Tourist Coucil was given a chance to screen this flick. And after seeing this film, no way I'd ever go to India. But methinks it definitely should get the Oscar for best foreign film.

 

[Horneius_Maximus]

If anyone were to trust 10 year olds to give them a tour of India, they are probably best served just staying at home.

 

[GhostOfTomJoad]

We saw it last night. Really a great film. I really like how they were able to use the gameshow as a bridge across numerous cultures & expose universal feelings about love, poverty, wealth vs. 'real' wealth, family bonds, & basic human kindness.

 

[l00p]

I had heard the name of the movie but knew nothing about it. I saw this thread and read the responses, skipped over the sort of spoiler alert, nothing was ruined. I called a friend and we went to the movie. I had no idea what I was in for like the OP. I am glad I went and what a wonderful film. I am so glad I went on this whim because I don't get out to movies all that much any more and would have possibly let this skip by to watch at a later date.

Thanks.

 

[Officer_Cartman]

Enjoyed it. Very predictable though, within the first 5-10 minutes the whole plot became pretty clear.

SPOILER!!

What was the deal with the part with Rama? Was that a kid randomly dressed up or a vision? If it was a vision, what was the significance? Or maybe I missed something.

 

[YChang]

One theory I read was Muslim parents dressing up the kids to protect them from the mobs.

 

[ilsa]

great movie, very undeserving of the 'R' rating I thought. The lead actor is Anwar from Skins if anyone has seen the show. and yeah, gotta agree the girl is a betty, ridiculously hot.

 

[DrPepperHorn]

I didn't understand the rating either. Fantastic acting, amazing music and a great story.

 

[l00p]

SORT OF A SPOILER ALERT






















I liked how at the end they showed all the actors that portrayed a character. I know, it's a small detail but one I liked.

 

[musubi]

This was easily my favorite movie of the year. Nuanced, tightly-paced, character driven. Entertainment Weekly has been touting it for an Oscar nomination...for Best PICTURE, not Best Foreign Film. I think it'll get it, too, because the movie is gaining buzz like crazy.

 

[musubi]

Well, it just took home 4 Golden Globes: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Original Score.

 

[smwhorn]

I went and saw this movie last night with my wife. What a great, great movie. If you have not seen this movie, you really should go see it.

 

[GHoward]

In reply to:

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[huisache]

It is the answer to: what if Charles Dickens was from modern India and wrote a book with Horatio Alger and they got a director to make the film like he was making an action movie?

I've seen maybe a dozen movies from India over the years and I can understand why the Indians don't understand why we are so hyped about this film.

I enjoyed it immensely, even though I knew from the start that it was going to have a Hollywood Ending.

 

[snow leopard27]

I have not seen this film, but have seen Salaam Bombay.

Has anyone seen both and could give a comparison?

 

[Creed]

In reply to:

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[Alex_de_Large]

Scumbag Million Hair

 

[general35]

I've seen maybe a dozen movies from India over the years and I can understand why the Indians don't understand why we are so hyped about this film.
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the movie is ok, not great, but it is a story hollywood elites and critics love, poverty stricken muslim youths make good despite social, political and financial obstacles.
I also agree that the chick is super hot.

 

[YChang]

It's a story "people" have liked since people started telling stories around the fireplace. You make it sound as if it's some left wing media piece to advance some sort of agenda.

 

[general35]

It's a story "people" have liked since people started telling stories around the fireplace. You make it sound as if it's some left wing media piece to advance some sort of agenda.
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I didnt say it was a left wing media piece but it is not one of the best 200 movies i have ever seen and it is up for best picture. it just has that hollywood message feel that they give awards to.

frankly, i do not recall ever sitting around the fireplace telling stories quite like this. the movie is getting a lot of criticism in india. ive seen better films out of bollywood and frankly, that would make a very interesting story itself.