By: debbie lynn elias
Any of you that have read my reviews over the years know of my great affectation and admiration for Danny Boyle. He is the consummate professional. He has an eclectic eye for beauty, light and shadows, and meticulous attention to detail which all converge giving way to unique individualized visual and sensory storytelling. Last year in reviewing “Sunshine” I described Boyle’s films as having compelling visuals, intelligent dialogue, evocative and interesting characters, exploring the human condition with its fractured frailties with honest sensitivity. After screening SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE I am even more steadfast in my beliefs as this is Danny Boyle’s masterpiece and a hot contender for multiple Oscar gold.
Jamal is a nice boy. A clean cut boy that every mother would love. And here he is a young man appearing on tv on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.” Affable and likeable. He wins over the audience but not the host who plots to have Jamal removed from the show, just as he reaches that final million dollar question for which he must return the next day. Tossed in jail accused of cheating, Jamal is tortured as the police try to get him to crack and confess to the crime and tell how he cheated “Millionaire.” But wait a minute. What if he didn’t cheat? What if he really did know the answers to all those questions? But, how is that possible for his once totally impoverished orphan with minimal education and no real upbringing? And slowly, question by question, Jamal’s tale unfolds in flashbacks as we see the perfect hand that Destiny has played in his life.
Orphaned at age 7 while watching his mother be killed during an anti-Muslim riot, Jamal is all alone in the world but for his older brother Salim. Part of the impoverished lowest caste, Jamal and Salim, “slumdogs” as they are called, are left to fend for themselves in the growing metropolis of Mumbai/Bombay, itself riddled with crime, grit and horrors no child should be forced to endure. Clearly survivalists, Jamal and Salim are determined to make it, each with their own boyish dreams that one can only hope will help see them to manhood. It doesn’t take long before the boys become part of a little Dickensonian operation overseen by a rather Faginesque character proclaiming love for his “children” but who only serves to make them beggars, pulling cons on tourists and citizens who appear to have money to spare, but then every once in awhile decides to burn the children’s eyes out just for the heck of it. It is here that Jamal meets what will prove to be his destiny – Latika – another orphan with enough spunk, pluck and determination to warm the coldest heart and in the case of Jamal, fill his full of love, love that he will carry for years to come. Joining forces Jamal, Salim and Latika are like the Three Musketeers – all for one and one for all – a mantra that Jamal especially takes to heart.
Eventually escaping the villainous grasp of poverty, our three heroes are separated, with the boys together for a time and Latika alone. However, brotherly love can’t always be counted on and Jamal and Salim eventually also go their separate ways. But Fate plays her hand well and eventually reunites our trio. We find that life for each has been very different. Salim has gone for power and money and has entangled himself with the wrong crowd. Latika has become an abused possession to one of Salim’s employers. And Jamal, well Jamal has walked the straight and narrow, working hard but always carrying that torch for Latika searching for her at every corner, every crossing. His is a love that has never died. And as we quickly see, neither has hers but her situation prevents her from fulfilling her heart’s desire. But Jamal will not be deterred. He will not lose Latika now that he’s found her again. So with some more help from Destiny and that popular tv show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” Jamal steps up to the plate and swings with all his might knowing that Latika will be watching.
Just get ready to mint some junior Oscars right now starting with one for Ayush Mahesh Khedekar for his performance as the young Jamal. I don’t know what’s happening this year with kid actors, but youngsters like Asa Butterfield, Jack Scanlon, Kare Hedebrant and now Ayush Khedekar and Rubina Ali are lighting up the screen and our hearts with performances that far surpass those of their seasoned veteran counterparts. Here, Ayush fills the screen with boyish, impish joy. Never playing for sympathy or pulling the “woe is me” card, he is electrifying. He makes your heart melt and draws you ever deeper into Jamal’s story. Even more amazing is that he and his Rubina Ali’s Latika carry over two-thirds of the film. Ali’s Latika is a heartbreaking as well with a sweet innocence that will bring tears to your eyes. (Tissues girls, bring tissues.)
On the adult side of the coin, Dev Patel gives such a poignant, heartfelt performance one can’t help but root for Jamal to win; to win everything – the money and the girl. As the adult Latika, Freida Pinto is the camera’s best friend. Beauteous almost to a fault, she maintains that level of love and precious innocence that Rubina Ali brings to the young Latika. Madhur Mittal is a standout as the adult Salim and is perhaps the most complex of the adult Musketeers balancing love, hate, deceit, self-loathing as if on a tightrope.
As he did with “Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day”, screenwriter Simon Beauoy paints a tapestried canvas filled with three dimensional characters laden with interesting backstories, intriguing entanglements and all emotionally charged with varying levels of humor, wit, sensitivity, desire, personal avarice but with a permeating theme of love. Based on the novel by Vikas Swarup, takes liberties with Swarup’s creation which I believe only makes the film better. Set against a backdrop of rich Indian culture, Beauoy weaves characters from all walks of life and caste system into the portrait allowing Boyle to work his visual magic bringing the characters and the love story of Jamal and Latika to full bloom showcasing the vibrant and electrifying Hindi culture and ultimately making us all believe in the magic and beauty of destiny.
But beyond the drama of the story there is comedy abounding. Although few and far between, the comedic scenes are well worth the wait and perhaps none moreso than a young Jamal locked inside an outside by his brother when his favorite movie star is coming to the village. In Jamal’s usual plucky determined style, Jamal drops through the hole in the bottom of the outhouse floor into the bodily excrement and undeterred, runs to meet his idol.
And Danny Boyle, what can I say! He is a master. Every scene is explosive – emotionally and visually. Every film cell breathes life. Weaving his own portrait of India’s societal culture, Boyle builds suspense at every turn which is mirrored only by the ever-rising energy level. With no emotion left untouched, Boyle captures each and captivates us with his innate sense of clarity and sensitivity ultimately arriving at one conclusion. Kindness, generosity, hope, love and destiny are not myths or fairy tales. They are the essence of life. Technically, Anthony Dod Mantle’s cinematography is dizzyingly lush, dramatic, dazzling and stylized, often pushing the envelope and going to extremes that are matched by the vibrancy and extremes of the culture. Mantle is clearly the frontrunner for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
A pulsating soundtrack completes the entire experience.
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is: A – Movie magic at its most glorious; B. Danny Boyle’s Masterpiece; C. A celebration of life and love with a little help from Destiny; D. All of the Above. My Final Answer: D. All of the Above.
Dev Patel: Jamal (adult) Madhur MittalL Salim (adult) Freida Pinto: Latika (adult) Ayush Mahesh Khedekar: Jamal (child) Rubina Ali: Latiak (child)
Directed by Danny Boyle with Loveleen Tanden as co-director in India. Written by Simon Beauoy based on the novel by Vikas Swarup. Rated R. (120 min)
