Slumdog Millionaire

The film opens as orphaned boy, a child of the slums of Bombay is about to win big on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." He's just gotten to the last round and has just one question standing between him and the main prize. Apparently due to a local twist in the rules that means he's hauled off to be questioned under torture by the police before he can answer the final question. And you thought Regis Philbin was tough...

This is a very good film and well worth watching. But before I forget it is worth noting that even though it is about a kid growing up, this is not a film to take your youngsters to. Not unless you want to do a lot of explaining and possibly deal with nightmares worse than those resulting from watching the witch give Sleeping Beauty the fateful apple. There is romance and some comedy here - but this is not altogether a light movie - providing some of the most direct portrayals of slum life I've seen in a while (making the neighborhoods of something like City of God seem downright pleasant by comparison).

Oh right, back to the story....

But of course Jamal is not cheating - instead having lived a life destined to serve him well on the show. Most of the movie is told in flashback as he recounts to the police how he came to know each of the answers - each hard earned from events of his childhood ranging through his young adult years. He's on the show itself more to win the heart of his childhood love than for any particular interest in the money. Nothing in the film is really particularly surprising, right down to the last question on the game show. Nevertheless it totally worked for me and I'm glad I went. This film is riding a pretty significant wave of buzz coming out of the Toronto festival - pretty well deserved. It's opening small but I suspect word of mouth will keep audiences coming in for a while. Definitely recommend catching it while it's around.

Third time's the charm update
I've had a hard time getting to this film. First attempt was a preview via The Warren Report - which I didn't quite get to due to work comittments. Next was an invite from SIFF with the director in attendance. Couldn't make that either (again work), though at least someone from my office was able to go in my place. This time I was more successful. Seems the easiest way is just to cough up the money and buy a ticket. Thankfully those who went before gave it a good review and that got me off the couch on a Sunday to give it a try. Aaron - you're right about this film - as well as the bizarre similarity to one (rather unpleasant) scene in Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Going in I couldn't imagine what you were talking about - now I get it.