Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Director: Danny Boyle
Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy (Based on the novel "Q&A" by Vikas Swarup)
Cast: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, Saurabh Skukla, Rajendranath Zutshi, Azharuddin Ismail, Ayush Khedekar, Rubina Ali & Madhur Mittal

Oscar wins (8): Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Original Score & Best Original Song ("Jai Ho")

In an honest notion, I really have to say that Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire was definitely not only one of the best produced films in 2008, but the best feel-good movie of that year. There is a sense of inspiration that unfolds in the story that Slumdog ends up being an irresistible motion picture. Though its definitely not my favorite movie of 2008 it comes really, really close. The film is hard to get over. It truly is wonderful.

What I love about the movie is that its an odd pick for Best Picture. The story, set in Mombay in India, follows the life of poor slumdog Jamal (Dev Patel) who has miraculously reaches the 20 million mark in the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?". Suspected of cheating, Jamal is then arrested and tortured to answer how an uneducated kid from the streets would know all the correct responses.

In a remarkable tale, the story unravels to find Jamal telling the story of his life and how "the slums" had taught him more then just answers, but how to live. We go through childhood with Jamal and his brother Salim, and the love of his life, the beautiful Latika (Frieda Pinto). In the end, we discover Jamal's true motives to join the TV show and how "destiny" is the most important thing to believe in.

Danny Boyle's perfect direction gives Slumdog Millionaire what it really needed. He captures the sights and sounds of India, but also captures the raw emotion of the unknown actors he casted in his leading roles. Though different from his other films, Boyle makes a landmark film, which in my opinion, is the best of his career (YES, better then Trainspotting (1996) too!).

However, I do feel that the whole base of the film's beauty comes from Beaufoy's fantastic adapated script. It amazes me so much, how a British man can adapt an Indian story and make it into a new age masterpiece. The screenplay and dialougue was pitch-perfect, and the film has only minor dialogue flaws. The teaming of him and Boyle is deffiantely a match made in heaven. The photography is another plus point.

As far as the acting goes, absolutely no one was terrible. But I must note that the little kids used to play the younger of the major characters out shined the older ones completely. Though they obviously were playing themselves, Boyle's guidance is hardly seen in the children's performances. And that's a good thing.

The film is a really touching one. It does not only inspire you, but it uplifts you to the highest form of happiness (or "feel-good"). The story is put together in a perfect narrative that is visually stunning and very emotionally capturing as well. I'm glad that the Academy choose a film that not only appeals to critics, but to the general public too. Though not my favorite of the year, I'm completely fine with Slumdog Millionaire's Best Picture win and I stay a fan.

Picture: Jamal (Dev Patel) and Latika (Frieda Pinto) dance to the Oscar winning song "Jai Ho" in the film's finale.