ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

OVER THE past few months, Slumdog Millionaire has been earning a reputation as the little film that is good enough to take on the world. The reputation is entirely justified.

The tale of a Mumbai slum orphan turned potential millionaire has all the richness and detail of a Charles Dickens novel, and is directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting) with such energy and dynamism that it takes your breath away. This is a completely captivating crowd-pleaser that is highly recommended.

Dev Patel stars as the 18-year-old Jamal Malik. He is one question away from scooping the jackpot on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Nobody can believe that a humble tea boy has achieved this remarkable feat without cheating. He is arrested and interrogated but his testimony proves how he legitimately knew the answers and relates back to some of the key moments in his childhood and adolescence.

Jamal is almost like a modern day Oliver Twist, and his life has been filled with adventure, daring and romance. Simon Beaufoy does a brilliant job of adapting the Vikas Swarup novel for the screen; balancing the urgent desire to know what happens next with the kind of detours and distractions that serve to increase our understanding and sympathy for the main characters.

Danny Boyle’s direction is dazzling as he plunges the viewer into all the sights, sounds and sensations of India, making the country itself a major character in the film. He also ensures a strong undercurrent of social commentary that adds some grit to the more fairytale qualities of the story.

Ultimately, Slumdog Millionaire is a moving tale of hope and the inspirational power of love. It is simply irresistible.

Nationwide release

Director: Danny Boyle
Cast: Dev Patel, Irfan Khan, Anil Kapoor, Mia Drake, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal.
Screenwriter: Simon Beaufoy based on the novel Q & A by Vikas Swarup
Certificate: 15
Running time: 120 mins
Country: UK/USA
Year: 2008

© Allan Hunter, 2009