Next up in our line of Best Picture nominees is Slumdog Millionaire (R). Director Danny Boyle guides us through the slums of the Indian city of Mumbai, as a teen explains why he knew all the answers to questions while a contestant on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” Dev Patel and Freida Pinto star.
Ryan: It's hard to dislike a film like Slumdog Millionaire. Its feel-good rags-to-riches love story is what quintessential Hollywood films are all about. Throw in the exotic quality of the movie taking place in India and one has an atypical makeup for a Best Picture contender. While other Oscar nominees left me scratching my head, the nominations for Slumdog Millionaire—especially for Best Picture—are indeed justified. Slumdog Millionaire is not only one of the most enjoyable films of the year but one of the best films of the year.
Andy: I have yet to encounter anyone who has seen this film that did not like it. While the film is not perfect, there really aren’t any weaknesses. It is intriguing, uplifting, and intellectual while also supplying plenty of action and suspense. Combining so many elements frequently makes a movie seem like a jumbled mess, but Slumdog flows smoothly, taking the audience on an unexpected journey that is as fun as it is rewarding.
Ryan: Describing this movie to someone who hasn't heard of it is somewhat challenging. The movie with it's “Who Want to be a Millionaire” plot point seems quite ridiculous. But trust me when I say this—the movie works. Danny Boyle does a fantastic job in making a movie that never lets up. The movie is very traditional at its heart but Boyle, with his frantic shooting and camera work, ratchets up the tension and emotion. This in effect heightens everything that occurs in the movie and makes it feel modern and fresh.
Andy: There has been a great deal of hoopla surrounding various aspects of this movie, but frequently left on the short end of the praise is the cast. Dev Patel is perfect in the leading role, his innocent exterior only occasionally fiving way to the passion and pain that we see his character has endured. Supporting characters Anil Kapoor and Freida Pinto add reliably real performances, as do the children who play the young versions of the main characters. The movie is sweeping and cinematic in scope, but none of that would work without the solid performance of the ensemble cast.
Ryan: Slumdog Millionaire has been raking in the Oscar-precursors and if it ultimately ends up winning Best Picture that won't be much of a surprise. One could argue that the movie doesn't have the weight of traditional Best Picture fare. And I'm also sure that there will be some out there that thinks the movie—especially with it's contemporary cinematography—is more smoke and mirros than substance. Granted Slumdog Millionaire isn't a perfect film but it's a very gratifying one.
Andy: It is hard to imagine a scenario where Slumdog Millionaire does not win best picture. It has just about everything you would want in a best picture contender with very little of the unnecessary self-importance that frequently plagues Oscar movies (I’m looking at you, Benjamin Button!). In many ways Slumdog has the feel of an independent movie in spite of its grandiose scope, and that keeps it grounded enough to maintain its charm in spite of its ambition.
Though not perfect, Slumdog Millionaire is certainly one of the year’s best movies, and it may very well be the best.
Final grade: A-.
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