“Slumdog Millionaire” (2008)
Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire shouldn’t succeed, but it does. It’s structured around a set of coincidences too numerous and too convenient to be believed. It follows a story line so old and predictable it’s mythic. And yet, Slumdog did succeed, for me at least, and very well, at that. A boy from Mumbai India grows up under trying circumstances, and has the chance to succeed when he goes on the game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Dev Patel is geeky and charming as the underdog, especially in the laugh-out-loud enjoyable end sequence.
For more on love of Slumdog and moviegoing in general, see Marsha’s fabulous entry at ALoTT5MA.
January 10th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
That’s exactly what I thought–it shouldn’t succeed, but it does.
January 10th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
The movie is on my to be seen (probably rented) list. It’s based on a book I reviewed last year called Q & A by Vikas Swarup.
January 11th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
i thought it was good but not as “unbelievably incredible!!” as all the reviews i’d been reading. i thought they carried on the framing device about 15-20 minutes too long, movie got much better once they brought the stories together.
January 12th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I had no expectations going into this movie, and I was surprised by how emotionally draining it was. I echo your sentiments about it - especially the end. How adorable! -D