This movie's plot is so simple, so likable, so perfect, and so poignant that one wonders why they haven't seen something like it before. A boy from the slums rises through society by his sheer wits to win the woman of his dreams. Awesome right? Who wouldn't want to see the ultimate underdog triumph and get the girl. This movie is like the love child of 'Forrest Gump' and 'Oliver Twist.' An incredibly good person, born in the worst places and faced with the worst people, has amazing experiences, is continually united and separated with the woman he loves until at the end, he triumphs by wits, luck, and destiny to become rich and win her heart. This movie is incredible. One of the best of the year. I loved this film.
Funny thing is you won't recognize anybody in it. It all takes place in India and is an all Indian cast. In short, it is a Bollywood film. The only person you may be familiar with is the director Danny Boyle (Millions, 28 days later, Trainspotting). But don't worry, they speak English in India and the film contains as much cross over potential as 'Amelie' or 'City of God.'
The movie has an ingenious structure. A boy goes on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' He has no formal education. Grown up in a slum and orphaned at a young age, nobody expects him to get past the third round. But somehow he keeps getting the questions right. How is he doing it? We are given four possible answers. A. He cheated B. He's lucky C. He's a genius or D. It is written. The police kidnap and interrogate him on suspicion of A. So he tells his story. In flashbacks we see how his many experiences have given him the answers to random questions he really shouldn't know.
And in those flashbacks we learn of a girl he is in love with. With whom he considers he is destined. Truly she is one of the most beautiful women in the world. They met at a young age after they were both orphaned. They were separated by evil men that preyed on children. As teenagers, he and his brother saved her from these men. The two were together at last, until brother turned on brother and the girl was stolen once again. Through major effort he finds her again, only to be spurned once more. Will true love find a way? We sure hope so. The hero of this story is so likable its almost unfair.
Between all of this drama is a riveting eye-opening look at India. We are shown poverty that is incredible, places that look unlivable, and a massive society that is going through a turbulent transformation into modernity. What were slums in the early part of the film turn into skyscrapers under construction in the latter part. We, the audience, are getting a glimpse of a part of the world that we have never seen. This movie is as comparable to India as the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics were to China.
Through all of this we are guided by the truly masterful strokes of a great director: Danny Boyle. This is his masterpiece. His greatest achievement is to show us scary truth that isn't mired in despair. He will give us sites of landfills, truly evil people, shanties, and widespread pollution. But the tone of the movie is exuberant. The atmosphere is fun and jubilant. There is a true joy of performance in every role. The soundtrack mixes between Indian and Pop effortlessly. I loved it when they played an entire montage to 'Paper Planes' by M.I.A.
I predict with great conviction that this movie will receive nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Adapted Screenplay, and possibly much more. It is hard to tell whether the unknown actors will be recognized, probably not I would say. This is Bollywood's breakthrough movie.
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