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: *****
1 comment:
The Game Show Host in his own eyes is the star, and sees himself above his viewers. The poor young innocent, who despite being exposed to much corruption and despair has remained pure of heart. He starts to become more of a star than the host, and shows more dignity. The bullying jealous host seeks to undermine this reflection of what he could have been at every step. For me this is the dramatic counterpoint that makes the film, without this dark opposite of the hero the film would be half what it is, the final struggle for our hero, the last dragon to slay, and lifts it above the pursuit of money. DR
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