Director: Danny Boyle
Starring: Dev Patel, Frieda Pinto and Irrfan Khan
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Few countries across the world are as poorly depicted in movies as India. India is one of those countries that’s rarely depicted respectfully in Cinema. Hollywood has often struggled to depict the culture of a country that’s misunderstood. Most movies have often depicted India as a third-world country without any degree of prosperity. Filmmakers often portray the country as an impoverished place characterized by poverty today. However, nothing could be further from the reality. While its true poverty exists in India, its exaggerated in movies that rarely capture the country’s lifestyle. It’s easier said than done to capture a nation that follows complex tradition. For these reasons, it’s rare to see authentic depictions of India in movies.
In an industry where India is seldom depicted in movies with care, “Slumdog Millionaire” stands out as a film that’s exceptionally rare. Released in 2008, Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job depicting the culture of a misunderstood country. Boyle painted a powerful portrait of a complex country that’s misrepresented in movies. Boasting breathtaking production-design, sharp storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s an incredible drama about India. At the centre of it all is a career-defining performance from Dev Patel, who captures painful burden impoverished children in India bear. Ultimately, it delivers a powerful message that would resonate with everyone facing childhood trauma at an early age. A mesmerizing portrait of a misunderstood country, it’s a magnificent masterpiece that demands to be seen.
“Slumdog Millionaire” follows an impoverished Indian orphan participating on a lottery show in hopes to become a millionaire. Dev Patel embodies Jamal Malik, a resident from the poverty-stricken slum of Mumbai. In the hopes of escaping poverty, Jamal becomes a contestant on the lottery show “Kaun Banega Crorepati”. Jamal finds himself lucky when he manages to answer every question on the show perfectly. However, Jamal’s dreams of becoming a millionaire are destroyed when he’s accused of cheating on the television show on air. Interrogated by a merciless police officer (Irrfan Khan), Jamal reflects on his childhood growing up in poverty. Facing a dilemma, Jamal questions whether he will ever escape poverty in India.
Danny Boyle is a newcomer to India. Before directing “Slumdog Millionaire”, Boyle had never made a movie about India before in his career. A brilliant British filmmaker, Boyle was known for his famous movies exploring Britain’s culture. With “Slumdog Millionaire”, however, Boyle crafted his first Indian drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lifestyles of a misunderstood country, but he succeeded tremendously. Through captivating cinematography, Boyle captures an Indian orphan seeking to escape poverty in his country. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes as stunning as lotteries that Jamal seeks to materialize. Boyle’s decisions to shoot the movie in real-life locations across India pays off tremendously. Boyle expertly uses real-life locations in Mumbai to capture impoverished slums of the country. For instance, real-life locations elevate the childhood slums scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jamal and his friends narrowly escape police officers on the streets of Mumbai. One admires real-life Indian locales capturing slums of the country. Using breathtaking visuals, Boyle captures a country where poverty is teeming.
Another admirable aspect of “Slumdog Millionaire” worth discussing is the production-design. From a technical perspective, it may be the most impressive film about India ever made. Boyle expertly uses production-design to recreate a famous Indian game show in which contestants shine. For instance, the production-design of the game show elevates the lottery victory scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jamal is overjoyed when he ends up winning the lottery of the game show. One appreciates dazzling production-design bringing a real-life Indian game show to life. Through impressive production values, Boyle celebrates a real-life game show. Moreover, the musical score is another aspect of “Slumdog Millionaire” that I adore. A.R. Rahman’s music is integral to the film’s success. It captures the atmosphere of a country that follows a powerful culture. The song “Jai Ho” is a timeless melody that encapsulates the beauty of the country perfectly. Through awe-inspiring production, Boyle celebrates culture of a misunderstood nation.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Slumdog Millionaire” is a classic that’s enduring. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses non-linear storytelling to capture hardships poverty-stricken children in India are facing. Boyle’s screenwriting strength is using non-linear storytelling to capture the impact of trauma on an Indian orphan. Unlike most Indian movies, “Slumdog Millionaire” follows a unique non-linear structure. Throughout the movie, Jamal reflects on his traumatic childhood experiences using them to answer complicated questions on the game show. The film seamlessly switches back and forth between two timelines: Jamal’s present-day experience in the game show and flashbacks of his traumatic childhood in India. Through this clever non-linear structure, Boyle crafts a compelling Indian character whom audiences can relate to. Non-linear storytelling is a complicated technique. When used excessively, non-linear storytelling can often confuse viewers. Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” suggested that non-linear storytelling elevates biographies about historical figures. Nevertheless, it works tremendously. Through a spectacular screenplay, Boyle celebrates a country following traditions that are misunderstood today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Dev Patel delivers a career-defining performance as Jamal Malik. Before making “Slumdog Millionaire”, Patel was not a well-known actor with an established career. It marked the actor’s first ever role in a major Hollywood movie. It isn’t easy to embody a poverty-stricken Indian orphan experiencing adversities but Patel succeeds. In an iconic role that launched his successful career, Patel demonstrates the painful burden that Indian orphans seeking to become millionaires bear. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, fear and trauma of an Indian orphan seeking to become a millionaire. It’s a phenomenal performance that launched the successful career of one of the greatest Indian actors working today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and deserves appreciation. Anil Kapoor is amazing, capturing the zeal of a charismatic Indian game show host that’s determined to strike a business deal. Frieda Pinto is fantastic, capturing the sorrow of an impoverished Indian woman seeking to reunite with a childhood sweetheart she was separated from years ago. Lastly, Irrfan Khan merits appreciation. As an abusive police officer, he brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “Slumdog Millionaire” is one of those rare movies everyone would appreciate for capturing the burden Indians bear. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it’s a film about India everyone would identify with. It tackles universal themes including family, identity and trauma. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with India to appreciate the movie. It delivers a message which would engage everyone impacted by trauma at an early age. Therefore, “Slumdog Millionaire” is one of those rare Indian movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Indian dramas would appreciate “Slumdog Millionaire” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A captivating classic, it celebrates a misunderstood country rarely depicted in movies in ways that are realistic.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a film about poverty-stricken orphans with trauma seeking to become millionaires in India, it’s a powerful reminder of a movie that forever changed the world through its authentic depiction of Indian culture proving Cinema is an effective art form contributing to understandings of a misunderstood country all-too-often regarded with stigma that remains poorly depicted in the media.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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