A gritty fable wrapped in kinetic energy, director Danny Boyle's latest movie is appearing on many year end "Best Of 2008" lists with high praise for its "uplifting" message. As usual, I'm not quite in line with the majority and have to confess that I really liked this movie but didn't love it. Dev Patel stars as orphaned teenager Jamal Malik, a hard luck kid from the slums of Mumbai who winds up on the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" with the chance to win 20 million rupees while reuniting with Latika the girl he loves (Freida Pinto). As the film flashes back through Jamal's troubled life of struggle and deprivation, we come to understand exactly how and why he knows the answers to the show's questions as he draws ever closer to the big prize. Played by three different actors throughout the arc of his life, Jamal is an endearing character who encounters much of the worst life has to offer, from orphans who are deliberately blinded in order to earn more as beggars to the stunningly destitute living conditions endured by many of the city's citizens. The greatest of cynics would want him to triumph.
Boyle's outstanding way of combining street with wonderland makes the movie work despite some typical plot developments such as Jamal's brother Salim (played by Madhur Mittal as the older version) becoming involved with local drug lords and gang members or the slightly lame love story between Jamal and Latika. Since it's the love story that's supposed to drive Jamal's actions, my lack of enthusiasm for the film mostly comes down to disappointment with the romance which is poorly developed and feels more like a plot device than a true connection. Still, it's a treat to watch the many talented members of the cast bring this unlikely story to life and, as always, a pleasure to see Boyle's movie magic sending out sparks.
Things to love about this movie: Patel's marvelous performance; a fun musical number over the ending credits (don't leave too early); an authentic sense of place
Things to hate about this movie: The intense scrutiny used by authorities to determine if Jamal is somehow cheating on the show -- Would a game show contestant really be tortured? Seems a bit melodramatic to me; wonderful actor Irrfan Khan (from "A Mighty Heart") is wasted on the thankless role of a torturing police inspector; Latika seems to grow lighter skinned as the movie progresses and ends up looking like the typical model
Pleasant surprises: Jamal's less than ecstatic reaction to his increasing good fortune as he progresses through the game show; parts of the film are extremely disturbing and as far from a fairy tale as you can go
Unpleasant surprises: Boyle partially spoils the exhilarating effect of his signature rushing-through crowded-streets style by using it a few times too many
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When this movie began, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. The early scenes of children in situations of extreme poverty and suffering were very difficult to view and made me question a life long fascination with the country of India.
As the story progressed however, I became deeply drawn to the characters and story, anxiously awaiting the outcome.
It was not until the end, the very wonderful scene that underlies the closing credits that I completely gave way to my emotions, both laughter and tears.
I found this film more deeply affecting than I was prepared for going in. For me, truly one of the great films of 2008.
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