Film review: Slumdog Millionaire (2009) directed by Danny Boyle.

Good evening (from where I am) blog readers. Today I am presenting to you a review of the film Slumdog Millionaire which was based loosely on Vikas Swarup's debut novel Q+A (2005).


In this film, we follow Jamal Malik who ends up being arrested on suspicion of cheating on the Indian version of the gameshow Who Wants to be a Millionaire? As the film progresses, we see Jamal's life with him telling the police how he knew the answer to each question. What makes this film magical is how even when Jamal ends up in trouble, he tries his best to get out of such tough situations. There's this determination to get out, better himself and find the girl/woman of his dreams. For him, that is Latika who he first meets as a child. Their friendship is quickly formed, as they navigate life together along with Jamal's brother Salim.

One thing that confused me however is that in the film, Salim is Jamal's brother. The character of Salim is only just a friend in the novel Q+A (2005). I do not regard this as a problem but as I mentioned, it did confuse me. Some of the characters were the same such as Maman. It was nice to see they had kept some characters in the film, who happened to be in the book. I understand a film will not be exactly the same as a novel. However, when I read a book and then watch a film it is based on, I try to imagine what point in the film aligns with the corresponding section in the novel.

Still, I loved the film. It was exhilarating and suspenseful. The film never gave us everything on a plate, it was a slow burner of how Jamal arrived at where he did. It was clever and knew how to take a sudden shift in direction like the flick of a light switch. Each story he told was different from the previous one which made the film so enjoyable to watch. I am giving this film an 8.5/10.


Until next time,


Thomas.

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