Slumdog Millionaire

Jamal Malik: Maybe it's written.

Amazing movie, not at all what I expected... but in a good way!!

Danny Boyle delivers with “Slumdog Millionaire” a visual and emotional spectacle that breaks cultural barriers, exploring the extremes of modern India through a pulsating narrative. Packed with energy that never falters, the film masterfully blends drama, romance, and suspense, all wrapped in a vibrant aesthetic and an electrifying soundtrack. It’s a cinematic experience that hits hard, tugging at both the heart and the mind.

The story of Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), an orphan from the slums of Mumbai, is told with precision and heart, seamlessly weaving flashbacks of his tough life with his appearance on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”. Each question on the game show serves as a trigger to revisit pivotal moments of his past, revealing how his knowledge was painfully earned. This narrative structure drives the film, creating a compelling and unique rhythm that ties together Jamal’s past and present in a fluid, emotional way.

Dev Patel is the beating heart of this film. His portrayal of Jamal is raw yet soulful, embodying the resilience and innocence of someone who has endured unimaginable hardships without losing the ability to love and dream. The chemistry between him and Freida Pinto, who plays Latika, is delicate and adds a romantic layer that contrasts with the harshness of the story. But the real standout is Jamal’s complex relationship with his brother Salim (Madhur Mittal), whose moral ambiguity paints a powerful picture of the tough choices poverty forces upon people.

Anthony Dod Mantle’s cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking. Mumbai bursts onto the screen with saturated colors, daring angles, and a camera that moves with the restless energy of the city’s streets. Each scene feels like a dynamic painting, capturing both the chaotic beauty and the unforgiving brutality of the environment. The frenetic editing and the iconic soundtrack round out this visual symphony, keeping the audience immersed from start to finish.

Boyle expertly balances the stark contrasts of India—the opulence of the rising middle class and the crushing poverty of the slums. This juxtaposition isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the essence of the film. Jamal’s journey between these worlds mirrors contemporary India, where tradition and modernity collide in uneasy coexistence. Yet Boyle steers clear of turning the film into a social documentary. Instead, he keeps the focus on the power of personal storytelling, showing how Jamal’s experiences shape his worldview and drive his quest for something greater.

That said, “Slumdog Millionaire” isn’t without its criticisms. Some might argue that the portrayal of Mumbai’s poverty leans on stereotypes or that the optimistic tone of the ending softens the impact of the heavier themes. Even so, it’s hard to deny that the film captures something essential about the human condition: the ability to find hope even in the darkest places.

Ultimately, “Slumdog Millionaire” is more than just a modern fairy tale. It’s a celebration of the human spirit, a reminder that our stories—no matter how painful or improbable—have the power to transform us. Boyle combines dazzling visuals with an emotionally resonant narrative to create a film that doesn’t just entertain but also challenges and inspires. It’s a cinematic milestone that, deservedly, earned a lasting place in audiences’ hearts and on awards stages.

Amazing film - incredibly beautiful story, acting and soundtrack.

While the first 2/3 of the movie were fairly interesting, the director really brought the movie together in the final third. I really enjoyed this film as it was so different than any other movie that I can recall.

For those of you that have seen the film, I do have one observation. About halfway through the movie I thought they were going to drop a [spoiler]"Usual Suspects" ending on us. Think about it: it seems as though they were leading you down a path about how the lead supposedly didn't cheat on a game show and that his life experiences taught him the answers that he needed to know. I liked the ending that was presented to us but I think that would have been a great one also. [/spoiler]

[8.5/10] I actually had no idea what to expect from this film, especially knowing that it really struck audiences when it first came out. I wasn’t sure if it would still connect with me after all these years, but I was pretty impressed! The concept was very intriguing, I really enjoyed the soundtrack, and the acting was solid too. I can definitely see why people loved it so much at its release.

It was a highly stressful story though, and I probably won’t rewatch it often if ever, but I’d definitely recommend it to any seasoned film lover who enjoys a satisfying ending.

An absolutely brilliantly made movie that gave me a view into the history and live in Indian slums as well as into Indian organised crime. All this is told intelligently through a candidate on the TV show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Indian version. Just an excellent story that also teaches a bit about the hard life of people that are born without rights and opportunities.

I return 6 years after my first watch and i have to say that is way better than i remembered from my first watch. 7.8/10


The crazy thing is that i was on vacation and i had the application of who wants to be millionaire.Me and my friends who were together couldn't stop playing first day as we wanted to win by answering all the questions.Funny thing is that a friend of mine searched about cinema in the area we were and she found out this movie was playing that day in this place in summer cinema.We were all beyond shocked.It was my first time watching a movie in a summer cinema.Won't forget it ever i believe now even more in energy and vibes!

Not my favorite Dev Patel film, but it’s undeniably solid and understandable why it won so many awards! If you like award winning type movies or Danny Boyle films, you owe it to yourself to check this one out!

Rating: 3.5/5 - 80% - Would Recommend

In full transparency, I’m not typically a fan of the “award winning” dramas. They are slow. I respect them. But I don’t enjoy them. This is one of the more enjoyable ones, but I still don’t love it. It’s a really good movie, with a really good story, that I probably won’t ever watch again. And that’s fine! I know there’s an audience out there that will love this. I simply respect this.

Rating: 3.5/5 - 8/10 - Would Recommend