"Slumdog Millionaire" Movie Review

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-.

"The Wrestler" movie review

We continue looking at Oscar hopefuls this week with Darren Aronofsky’s, The Wrestler (R). Mickey Rourke stars as Randy “The Ram” Robinson a once popular wrestler whose time in the ring has passed. While still trying to wrestle in smaller circuits, “The Ram” struggles not only with his career but with the few relationships in his life. Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood costar.

Andy: In case you haven’t already heard, Mickey Rourke is amazing in this movie. He carries the movie from beginning to end, lumbering through the narrative with a combination of broken down humanity and bravado that is rarely seen in movies. The juxtaposition of his extremely physical performance with both subtle and overtly dramatic scenes is nothing short of remarkable.

Ryan: Most of the buzz surrounding The Wrestler starts and ends with Mickey Rourke’s transcendent performance. Don’t get me wrong it’s a fantastic performance. Here’s what isn’t being said. The Wrestler is one of the best films of the year. It’s not being talked about as a best picture contender but it should be. The Wrestler is a brilliant film. It’s a movie that leaves you emotionally drained yet satisfied.

Andy: The Wrestler is a very high quality movie. I have not heard anyone claiming otherwise, but the astonishingly high quality performance of Rourke overshadows how solid the movie is. Director Darren Aronofski completely redeems himself after the failure of 2006’s ambitious The Fountain. The Wrestler is a completely different movie, tackling the harsh realities of the fantasy world of professional wrestling. Watching Roark’s deconstruction of Randy “The Ram” Robinson over the course of film makes the film powerfully moving.

Ryan: Mickey Rourke has already scored the Golden Globe award for Best Actor and an Oscar nomination is certain to be around the corner. The only thing that could work against Rourke’s performance is ascertaining how much of his performance is acting or how much is it Rourke playing himself. But even with that said, there’s no question that Rourke’s performance is one of the best’s of the year. His authentic portrayal of a washed-up wrestler is layered with an emotional resonance that just isn’t seen in most films.

Andy: Not to be short changed here both Evan Rachel Wood and (especially) Marisa Tomei put forth some very fine supporting performances. Both actresses did not have a whole lot of substance to work with, as the best chops were reserved for Rourke’s character, but both made their characters meaningful and complex as a backdrop for The Ram’s descent.

Ryan: Whether one is a fan or not of professional wrestling is not important in appreciating this film. Yes, the movie is about wrestling but it's about so much more than that. It's about finding value and self-worth in life. It's about taking chances in opening oneself up to others. The Wrestler is a slice of life and Aronofsky does a skillful job in showcasing the ups and downs—the happiness and sadness—that all people go through and struggle with as they travel through life.

The Wrestler is a great achievement for Mickey Rourke and Darren Aronofsky for making an intense and nuanced film that hits the emotional buttons hard.



Final grade: A-.