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.