Slumdog Millionaire Pays Off

It's not often that award buzz automatically equals a good film. But every few years, there is a "little film that could" that is just simple and beautiful and complete - and deserves every award it earns.

That film is "Slumdog Millionaire."

The story itself is a different and intriguing. A young "slumdog" (meaning from the slums, uneducated) named Jamal from India competes on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." Given Jamal's educational background (and some shifty folks who do not have his best interest at heart), the young man is investigates as a possible fraud for knowing the answers. the story is told running back and forth through time to show where in his life he got the answers to some of the questions being asked. Alongside all of this, is the plot of how the boy and his brother lost their mother long ago, ended up on the streets victimized by various nefarious types - and ultimately how Jamal tracks down his long lost love.

The story could have been so contrived, but for some reason, the directing and subtle acting by these fine Indian actors keeps us rolling along and cheering for Jamal and Latika (his love). The character of Salim, his older brother is, by turns, a sinner and a saint; the fact that they did not make him a cartoon good guy or bad guy makes him one of the most interesting characters in the film.

I adored the subtle acting of Dev Patel as the adult Jamal. His fierce determination coupled with his ability to fade into the background and withdraw made his plight completely believable. Heexpressed his zeal and passion not through overacting or over-reacting, but through his actions. The fact that he's only 18 blows me away. And Fredia Pinto as Latika is just gorgeous and luminous.

This movie stayed with me long after we left the theatre, like a really good Sundance film. It was directed by Danny Boyle, of "Trainspotting" fame and - in an unsual twist - gives co-director credit (unheard of) to Loveleen Tandan - who was the film's casting director primarily. This was a highly unusual and controversial move from an awards standpoint, but she is credited with making some key directing and casting decisions that just made the film. Normally, only one person can hold directing credits for award purposes (see controversy spillover here) but Boyle wanted Loveleen's contributions to be recognized with the film.

I have not seen a film in a long time that was really "good." This film had suspense, romance, hope, justice and all of the ingredients necessary to make a darn good story. Somewhere along the line, filmmakers forgot that really, the story is what it is all about.

Golden Globes 2009

Just had a chance to check out the Golden Globe awards on DVR. While the show itself was a bit lackluster it beat the news conference they held last year to announce the winners. Check this link for other great moments.

Check here for a list of all the winners. But here are my own observations on this annual starfest.

• Kate Winslet was charming and disarming in her "freak out" over winning not one, but two awards. She won for both "The Reader" and for "Revolutionary Road" which paired her once again with Leo DiCaprio. Her first speech she asked everyone to bear with her as she "has a habit of not winning things." And then she completely freaked out at her second win, which saw her coming out on top oiver the likes of Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson and "the other one" Angelina Jolie. She also looked captivating in a great strapless and great hair.
• Clint Eastwood is not just an actor, director, and former mayor - but he's a musician too? he got nominated for best original song in "Gran Torino" and for best soundtrack in "The Changeling". I still think he's creepy though and way too old to be "the cool, bad ass old guy" in every film he does.
• What was up with Drew Barrymore's hair? It looked like she got caught in a wind tunnel in 1950. And Renee Zellweger, who usually looks flawless in Carolina Herrera, looked like a dark, Goth version of Miss Haversham in that crazy black drapey number with the bare shoulers cut out.
• Laura Linney won for "John Adams" and I was psyched. She is awesome and looked radiant in gold. And what a classy lady - no notes needed, she's just well-spoken.
• Tracy Morgan was hysterical accepting for "30 Rock". He said he and Tina had a bet that of Obama won, he would accept all awards and be the "face of post racial America - deal with it, Cate Blanchett." Priceless.
• Ricky Gervais should have just done a stand up number. He did some off the cuff comic material that was priceless. While expressing his bitterness over not getting nomintated ("That's the last time I sleep with middle aged journalists") he also congratulated Kate Winslet on her win by saying, "See? I told you to do a holocaust movie, didn't I?"
• Happy Go Lucky actress Sally Hawkins won for Best Actress in a Comedy Motion Picture. I never heard of this film before. And, she looks entirely too thin.
• The underdog "Slumdog Millionaire" seemed to be this year's belle of the ball. I really need to check this one out.
• Classy beauties were everywhere: Jessica Lange, Demi Moore, Sigourney Weaver, even Sandra Bullock looked good. I like these older women who still look fantastic dressing in a way that makes them shine. Take a tip, Miley Cyrus.
• Heath Ledger won posthumously for "The Dark Knight". While I agree he's a gifted actor, I really don't think his performance in TDK was THAT great. Will I get shot for saying that? But director Christopher Nolan accepted on his behalf and gave a lovely, short, classy speech. Way to go.
• Maggie Gyyllenhahl is so cool - but does she really have to scream "vintage" in everything she wears? I know that's her thing, but her dress looked like a thrift store fabric. What do I know? It probably cost thousands of dollars!
• What was up with the room setup, and the fact it took people forever and a day to make their way to the stage? Let's plan better, people.
• Tina Fey won for Best Actfess in a TV Series -Comedy or Musical. Love it. And love that she said in her speech (paraphrasing here), "There are a lot of people on the Internet who don't like you, so if you ever get too egotistical, you should check it out. And I'd like to address them now." to which she named a few and told them to "suck it". Nice.
• "Mad Men" won for best TV Series - Drama. This made me so happy. And plain jane Elisabeth Ross (Peggy) looked stunning in red.
• Mickey Rourke won Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama for "The Wrestler". While I'm all about a comeback, he looked like Liberace on a bender. Why is stringy long greasy hair so big in Holloywood among men?
• "Wall-E" won Best Animated Film and director Andrew Stanton accepted the award. I thought this film was so poignant. And I met Stanton at Sundance a few years ago, so that was cool!
• Hayden Panatierre is just a lovely young girl. She always looks so fresh and polished.
• Gabriel Byrne beat Hugh Laurie from House and Jon Hamm from Mad Men? Seriously?
• Anna Paquin beat "SVU's" Mariska Hargitay for her role in "True Blood." That just blows.

All in all, it was pretty uneventful and non-cntroversial (except for a few "bleeps" over naughty words.) I was very surprised that Mamma Mia did not win more awards - that was just a visual roller coaster and I thought the Hollywood Foreign Press would eat it up. But honoring "Slumdog Millionaire" was very consistent with the HFP's way of being moved by little movies that could.