Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto

Directed by: Danny Boyle

So I did end up going to the mall this afternoon to see “Slumdog Millionaire” today, here is my review…

Plot/synopsis: Story revolves around an 18 year old orphaned Indian boy named, Jamal Malik, who is a contestant on the Indian version of the hit game show “Who Wants to Be Millionaire”. He is a popular contestant of the show because he is able to get every question exactly right. Right before he got the chance to answer the final question of the game, he has been arrested and taken into police custody, he is being accused of cheating.

To prove his innocence that he isn’t cheating, he had to explain his entire life story as a child to what he is now. He is able to answer every question right because those questions can relate to his life. Throughout the film shows flashbacks of his childhood as he tells the story of his life growing up. Each part of his life story has something to do with the questions in the game.

In the past, he has fallen in love with another orphaned Indian girl named Latika, where she and Jamal run into trouble by dangerous Indian gangsters. Those type of gangsters are the ones who kidnap children so they can train them to beg for money. Jamal’s brother Salim becomes part of the gang while Jamal is doing his best to survive and to save the love of his life, Latika.

Does Jamal get the final question right in “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”? Do Jamal and Latika ever reunite? You’ll have to see the film for yourself and find out.

My thoughts on the film? Now I can totally see why it’s getting all the buzz. I FUCKING LOVED IT!!!! The film was absolutely amazing and a total masterpiece! It was one of the best foreign films I’ve seen in years! I don’t know why this film gets mixed reviews, I find it to be a perfect film. Acting was beautiful, the story was original and something different. It’s a pretty intense and unpredictable film.

Great acting by Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, which are also deserving of a “Best Leading Actor” and “Best Leading Actress” Oscar nod, which I feel those two were also snubbed of the Oscars.

I’ll take my Oscar winning predictions back and I’ll definitely say that “Slumdog Millionaire” will be the big winners this year. It’s definitely well deserving. I loved the film all the way through. I’m glad I finally got to see it.

Those who didn’t like it why? Didn’t understand what was going on? Didn’t like the whole love story thing? The film was fantastic. I’m definitely rooting this film to get “Best Picture” and “Best Director” win. I’ll definitely be buying this film on DVD too. Definitely one of the best films of 2008. Now that this film expanded to theaters everywhere ’cause of the Oscar nominees, I expect this movie to be no. 1 in the box office this weekend.

I thought the film was wonderful and a masterpiece, I’d definitely go see it again if I wanted. Please go see it, and you would immediately see why the film is getting so much hype.

Score for “Slumdog Millionaire” = **** (4 stars as in excellent)

Kev