While I get the "feel good" story about a kid from the streets overcoming incredible odds to win love and fortune, I never felt vested with any of these characteristics. While at least in part this may be due to the foreign nature of the film and setting, I believe it is more due to the tremendous inconsistency in the characters. Each of the main players vacillates tremendously between their darker natures and more optimistic character. Jamal Malik, the title character, is basically a thief. Through most of the movie he is a kid on the make, at one point stealing shoes and running a fake tour guide business at the Taj Mahal. His brother, Salim, takes this even further, turning to violence, ultimately working for one of India's greatest gangsters as an enforcer and assassin. Latika seems to be almost totally at the mercy of the men around her. She follows Jamal & Salim for protection, but becomes a virginal concubine for a Fagin-like character who uses young children to beg on the streets of Mumbai. She gives herself to Salim, presumably to protect Jamal, but is next seen as the plaything of Javed, the gangster. Jamal goes legit, working as a cold-caller for a cell phone company. Salim ultimately plays the consummate romantic (won't spoil this) to bring the lovers together. Latika finds the strength (or does she borrow Salim's and Jamal's?) to break free. The story itself, as horrible and realistic a portrayal of Indian squalor and street life it may be, also gets stretched too far. The idea that in modern India the police would concern themselves with the whims of a TV host (the Indian version of Regis Philbin) is ridiculous. I wonder how the Indian government feels about depictions of apathy (a man on fire in the background as Indian policemen play cards), cruelty (using electricity to elicit confessions), and Keystone Kops routines (running little beggars off the local airstrip). The music is great. The scenes of Indian squalor are wonderful, if a bit overly colorful. But the characters don't quite touch.Read full review
The music mix outstanding, but rap difficult to understand. Dancing ok, and Romeo e Juliet story exciting. Good cinematic symbols, and 50K feet of feces to get the autograph the BEST!! Malik had to continually deal with 'stuff' on his quest for Latika - sound familiar? Bollywood getting better, the Taj changeless (except for weather degradation) - India continues to absorb any and everything bestowed on her, but Hindu culture is certainly challenged by the West as never before. Having lived there 40 years ago (MacNamara Go Home), the dynamics of IT, ATT, GE, CIA, US hegemony, and Asian consciousness are awesome. Can't quite imagine the next 40 year shift, but Slumdog is a picture of this time and place south of the Himalayas. See it soon.
I bought this movie because the first time I saw it over and over again on television it was just: A GREAT MOVIE...simply put. What I like most about it is it takes place in India. There's 'NOTHING' I dislike about it really, and I'm not against violent movies, but it probably could use less or no violence in my opinion. Not only 'would' I buy it again, I 'DID' buy it again! Every dvd that I've 'ever' bought from ebay has always come neatly packaged and with the dvd in 110% 'PERFECT' condition with plastic around it and inside the envelope it comes in has a very soft inside to make sure no damage can come to the item that's been bought. This is 'one' of the 'best', if not the 'BEST' movie you'll ever see as far as a Love story and as far as someone who has gone through a struggle, how do I compare this item to others: perfect. someone else's opinion may be different than mine, but it was 'perfect' in my own opinion. Thanks ebay!Read full review
The story was told in parts, and it was very hard to keep up with what going on. this turned me off. "What going on?" You can't take your eyes off it, or you lose the whole picture. The Story overall was very good, and so was the pictures of india. Just like you were there. excellent. At the end everyone came out dancing, and left a poor taste in my mouth about the picture. Like the picture it self was just a story. I rate this as a good picture or a B- because of the way the picture was told, and the dancing at the end. New type of picture.
Slumdog millionaire won 8 Oscars, another 87 wins & 27 nominations at other award venues. So my expectations were high. Slumdog absolutely lived up to the hype. It was amazing, one of the best movies that has been made in a long time. Can you believe that this movie was almost released straight to DVD. This is the first film since Schindler's List to win Best Picture, Director and Screenplay at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and the Oscars. Danny Boyle's direction in this movie sucked me in from the get go. From the opening moments until the final scene, I was fully engaged. Such as, when the young Jamal got locked into the bathroom and jumps into the excrament to get the autograph of his favorite celebrity. It was all at once quickly moving, romantic, violent and culturally insightful. The film was shot on location in India, mostly in Mumbai. Slumdog Millionaire is another testament of the depth of Danny Boyle, who has directed other films like Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and Sunshine. I hope this was somewhat helpful thank you.Read full review
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