Director: Danny Boyle
"Slumdog Millionaire" will undoubtedly be remembered as one of 2009's best films. Danny Boyle's latest delight is somewhat different to his other films, but still contains the same amazing cinematography that brought his other films such as "28 Days Later" to life.
The story is nothing short of genius, incorporating all of the life lessons we were taught about as kids 's lessons about greed, friendship, hard work, love and so on.
A boy from the slums of Mumbai, Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) has risen to the dizzy heights of the ultimate question in the TV quiz show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" but is accused of fraud because he is just a "slumdog" and is uneducated.
Under police interrogation, Jamal is forced to explain how he knows the answers to all the questions that led him to the doorstep of the 20 million rupee prize.
Jamal's stories show the brutal hardships the poor in India have to endure, while developing his relationships with his brother, who is always quick to sell out Jamal's dreams for a quick buck, and the beautiful Latika (Freida Pinto) who is the love of his life.
Child kidnappers, gangsters and Jamal's brother get in the way of his romance with Latika, while others constantly try to stop his rise to fame and riches.
The film is a classic "rags to riches" story showing that where there is a will, there is a way.
Though the film just skims over the many social problems in the country, it is a good introduction to the India we don't see in Bollywood films. Reference to the shielding of poverty is made in the film as young Jamal is beaten for leading two rich American tourists who want to see the 'real India' into the slums. Jamal's gang of friends strip their Mercedes and leave it on blocks, rolling the tires down the street as they view the slums.
The masterpiece has won seven awards at Britain's BAFTA awards, including Best Film, and has been nominated for 10 Oscar awards.
It is no wonder why.
Now showing in Lithuania, coming to Latvia Feb. 27
