Slumdog Millionaire: The jury is no longer out!

After all the nominations, awards, good and bad press and my own presupposed contentions, I finally watched the movie. There is not a dreary moment and it keeps the viewers gripped till the very end even though the outcome is known, which is the most meaningful yardstick for any movie or book.
Three things stand out: first - the story; I am not sure who deserves a bigger credit here - the author or the screenplay writer, but it's brilliant work. Second - director Danny Boyle gets full marks for capturing the essence of the tale, and the third – incredible performances by the three kids. For each of these three categories, it deserves all the awards. I am not sure about the rest though: AR Rahman has composed much better music than this; in fact the music does not even standout enough to be noticed in this movie.

I understand and appreciate that the poverty shown in the movie is intrinsic part of the story –a slumdog with no formal education wins a national quiz show - hence reminiscences from his past, entwined in abject poverty and crime, come to the rescue and provide answers to the questions asked. What I do not comprehend is why does the game-show host have to play such a negative role by repeatedly humiliating the contestant - Jamal. And it does not end at humiliation, but I won't spoil it for you here. [No wonder Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan declined the role].

To call it a feel good film is either naivety or a bad joke. The outcome of the game-show was known from the beginning so it does not bring in any cheerful surprise, but the cost of getting the childhood love back was not exactly upbeat, in my opinion.

On the whole, it’s an entertainer and the jury [numerous awards and nominations] has agreed many times over.

Click here for trailer:
Rating: *****

Seen three movies this month [so far]

Elegy: Not exactly my kind of film but I'm glad I saw it. If this was any ordinary film, I would have switched it off after twenty minutes. Ben Kingsley is rightly one of the best actors of our times and he proves it in every movie that he acts. [I guess it's the Indian gene in him]. Gorgeous Penelope Cruz stars with him as his student who gets into a romantic liaison with the professor – several years her senior. An ordinary story [or two intertwined with each other – I wouldn't take it away from you] but exceptional acting makes this film stand out. And, if like me, you are a Penelope fan, you will thank me forever. Click here for a trailer.

Rating: ****

Vicky Cristina Barcelona – I am not trying to stereotype but I always find Woody Allen's movies a bit incomplete. He leaves too much to the audience to imagine. This one is no different. An artist dating two tourist friends in Barcelona finds everything turned upside down when his ex-wife returns to stay with him. Javier Bardem, Scarlet Johansson and Penelope Cruz star in this movie. It's worth watching if you have nothing else to do on a flight [like me]. Click here for a trailer.

Rating: **

Momento [2000] – Leonard [Guy Pierce] is looking for the man who has raped and killed his wife. What makes it complex is that Leonard is suffering from a short-term memory loss and has to take Polaroid pictures, notes and tattoo his body to remind him of his objective. The movie is shot in reverse [coloured] and chronological [B&W] in set alternatives, giving the audience a feel of Leonard's condition. Fantastic story, brilliant acting and award-winning direction – it was nominated for 2 Oscars. I am told the movie is made in several languages, including Hindi [Ghajini]. Click here for a trailer.

Rating: *****