Review: Slumdog Millionaire

Director: Danny Boyle
Cast: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor
Certificate: 15
Running time: 120 mins

I'm going to be totally honest - when Slumdog scooped all the awards at the Oscars - part of me wanted to watch it - and hate it. I was hoping to tear it to shreds and mock the Academy for handing them so many golden statues.

But then I watched it. Leaving my initial opinion laying in the curb like a dog in Mumbai.

Slumdog Millionaire is in truth - a breath of fresh air. A solid story - with appealing characters and a plethora of emotions.

Danny Boyle is know for his gritty movies - none more so than Trainspotting. But Boyle should be credited for his distinctive style of filming and the excellent manner in which he has interpreted the story from the book.

Young and talented Dev Patel plays Jamal - a former street kid - now sitting in the hot seat on the world's most popular game show. With the possibility to win it all - the local police become suspicious of how a young man from the slums could possibly know the answers. Has he cheated?

The film moves back and forward in time - giving us not only the story of Jamal's life - but what leads him to know the answers on India's version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. All the actors who play Jamal are sensational - and Patel is exceptional. He has a like-ability that few onscreen leads garner. The character has problems - as any street kid would - but he exists with a passionate dignity.

Despite all its grit - there are also many moments of humour. Kapoor is brilliant in his send up of a game show host. His mispronunciation of "millionaire" never fails to raise a chuckle. And I dare anyone not to laugh at how a young Jamal attempts to meet his Bollywood idol.

Boyle has cast well. There will be few prettier faces grace the movies this year than Freida Pinto. In her role as Latika - she is subtle - but used effectively enough to make us care for the love story. Jamal's older brother Salim (Madhal Mittal) is the wilder of the siblings. Essentially he is the antithesis of Jamal and is significant enough that we are torn between liking him or hating him.

Mumbai makes for a colourful yet tragic setting. The issue of how bad things can be in India's overpopulated cities is delicately touched on - and will if anything - raise some brief awareness.

The soundtrack provided by A.R. Rahman makes for a lively, energetic beat. It's packed full of all the spice and flavour associated with both Boyle's films and the sweat-soaked location.

Bottom line is - there's not much more you can ask from this production. It has so much packed into two hours that Boyle was easily deserving of all the awards he has collected.

For those with a squeamish disposition - be aware that it does contain brutality and urban violence. But it's all necessary to hammer home the message. But don't be put off by that - this film has more in its arsenal - from modern romantic melodrama to rags-to-riches realism.

The choice is yours:

a) Watch another pointless US rom-com
b) Watch that predictable horror slasher movie
c) Watch brain-numbing reality TV at home
d) Go and watch a deserving Oscar/Bafta award winning movie

Final answer please.