Millions fall in love with ‘Slumdog Millionaire’

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Kate Baldwin
January 26, 2009
Filed under Movie Reviews, Reviews

As an attention grabber, “Slumdog Millionaire” is one of 2008′s most memorable films. Set in Mumbai, India, the viewer is taken on a gripping journey which follows the main character Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) from his childhood in the slums to Mumbai’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

After winning 10 million rupees with one question to go, Jamal is arrested for cheating the game. How could a slumdog possibly have known the answers to come this far?

In the hands of the Mumbai authorities, Jamal takes the audience question by question, back to the moment’s in Jamal’s life that gave him the answer. Beginning as a young orphan, Jamal bands with his brother Salim to survive the dark world of the Mumbai slums.

Jamal is on his own journey to find Latika (Frieda Pinto), a childhood friend and the love of his life that he has lost. Based on the novel “Q and A” written by Vikas Swarup, screen writer Simon Beaufoy brilliantly transferred the novel to the screen, winning a Golden Globe for best screen play .

The film introduces two newcomers to the silver screen in its leading roles. Starring as Jamal Malik, the young British actor Dev Patel did a surprisingly phenomenal job in his first lead role. He portrayed his emotions clearly to the audience and helped the audience know the mood of the setting with no dialogue needed. Already Patel has won five awards for his performance and as one of the most promising newcomers to the screen.

As his opposite, Frieda Pinto plays his love interest Latika. Pinto was modeling in Mumbai when director Danny Boyle discovered her and cast her in the role. She had had very little acting experience prior to this film.

With a refreshing batch of new faces on the movie screen, “Slumdog Millionaire” has already received a nomination for the SAG awards (Screen Actors Guild) for an outstanding performance by an ensemble cast.

Surrounded by Oscar buzz, the film is already the winner of four Golden Globes for 2008, including Best Dramatic Picture. It is filled with action, thrills, comedy, and romance: all key components to create a gripping and entertaining film.