Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Source: DVD (SS2)

The PERFECT film in a time when everything economically seems so bleak, perhaps there is a glimmer of hope after all.


Wikipedia and imdb.com
Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik (Patel), an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India¹s "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?"
But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika (Pinto), the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show¹s questions.

Each chapter of Jamal's increasingly layered story reveals where he learned the answers to the shows seemingly impossible quizzes. But one question remains a mystery: what is this young man with no apparent desire for riches really doing on the game show?

When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out.


The narrative is superb, and I was caught leaning off my sofa mesmerised in the dialogue and plot! And what incredible music too :-)

Prem Kumar: Its getting hot in here.
Jamal Malik: Are you nervous?
Prem Kumar: [audience laughs] What? Am I nervous ? Its you whos in the hot seat, my friend!
Jamal Malik: Yes, sorry.

I like this...
Police Inspector: Money and women. The reasons for make most mistakes in life. Looks like you've mixed up both.

And especially this!
Prem Kumar: So are you ready for the final question for 20 million rupees?
Jamal Malik: No, but maybe its written, no?
Prem Kumar: Maybe... '


Brilliantly casted!
Dev Patel ... Jamal K. Malik
Anil Kapoor ... Prem Kumar
Freida Pinto ... Latika
Irrfan Khan ... Police Inspector
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail ... Youngest Salim
Ayush Mahesh Khedekar ... Youngest Jamal

Here's Ayush Mahesh Khedekar who plays the young Jamal K. Malik in one of my favourite scenes! Watch the film to see the lengths he would go through to get his idol Amitabh Bachchan's autograph when he arrives in the slums, in a helicopter!

This is a well celebrated film, check out a list of key awards deservedly won!

2009 Academy Awards
Won: Best Picture

Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle

Won: Best Original Score – A. R. Rahman

Won: Best Original Song – "Jai Ho", by A. R. Rahman (music) & Gulzar (lyrics)

Won: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy

Won: Best Cinematography – Anthony Dod Mantle

Won: Best Film Editing – Chris Dickens

Won: Best Sound Mixing – Resul Pookutty, Richard Pryke, Ian Tapp

Nominated: Best Sound Editing – Tom Sayers (lost to The Dark Knight)

Nominated: Best Original Song – "O... Saya", by A. R. Rahman & M.I.A. (lyrics)

2009 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (BAFTA)
Won: Best Film

Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle

Won: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy

Won: Best Film Music - A.R. Rahman

Won: Best Cinematography - Anthony Dod Mantle

Won: Best Editing - Chris Dickens

Won: Best Sound - Glenn Freemantle, Resul Pookutty, Richard Pryke, Tom Sayers, Ian Tapp

Nominated: Outstanding British Film

Nominated: Best Leading Actor – Dev Patel

Nominated: Best Supporting Actress - Freida Pinto

Nominated: Best Production Design - Mark Digby, Michelle Day

2009 Golden Globe Awards
Won: Best Motion Picture - Drama

Won: Best Director - Motion Picture - Danny Boyle

Won: Best Screenplay - Simon Beaufoy

Won: Best Original Score - A. R. Rahman

2009 Writers Guild of America Awards
Won: Best Adapted Screenplay - Simon Beaufoy

Won: Oscars Best Picture