v By Evia Zack
Box Office – $115,024,121 in the US, $189,424,479 worldwide
Slumdog Millionaire was the winner of eight Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, and topped numerous critics’ lists. Some wonder whether or not it deserved this amount of praise, but this story of love and loss was well worthy of all the honors bestowed upon it.
The movie opens with character Jamal Malik, played by Dev Patel, on the Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” It then flashes forward to him being tortured in a police station under suspicion of cheating. He then reveals how each of the questions was answered by an event in his past. The two parallel stories – the game show and his history – slowly come to a climax where, for twenty million rupees, he gives his “final answer.”
Slumdog Millionaire is a love story at heart, as Jamal goes through trials of fire to find his childhood love, Latika. It is also a story of brotherly love, although his brother Salim’s actions are often cruel. It is rated R for violence, language, and some disturbing images, therefore it is definitely not a film for children. The suspense literally has you on the edge, or in some cases curled up in your chair.
The award winning cinematography is breathtaking, with the bright color and creative transitions a constant feast for the eyes. India is a colorful country, with an interesting culture that Slumdog captures perfectly. “Slumdog is an amazing film. It was new and different, and it was refreshing to see someone go in a different direction for once, rather than the same old romantic comedy.” Halley Theroux, senior, said.
The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards, and won eight of these, including Best Cinematography, Best Score, and Best Directing. The fact that it won Best Picture is an amazing accomplishment, as it is a foreign film. This has some wondering if our entertainment industry is outsourcing as well as our job market. However, the remarkable storyline and stunning visuals make it every bit deserving of the awards it received.
