Films/DVD Asylum

"Slumdog Millionaire," if it be anything remotely

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intellectual OR artistic that you seek, stay far away. After the first 40 minutes, it just gets ridiculously melodramatic and unbelievable (even compared to the FIRST 40 minutes).
But it is a good view into the hopeless poverty which many people face---- actually, what MOST people do. A good popcorn movie but certainly nothing more. The lead fellow is the least charismatic actor I've seen given that much screen time in quite awhile. The two actors playing him at an earlier age were superior.

Follow Ups:

Most fun I've had at a movie in a long time- - powermatic 11:14:29 01/08/09 (1)
and what's wrong with that?

Very well crafted, and stylistic in it's way, I slipped right into the suspension of disbelief, and was never brought out of it. All the actors (yes, including the male lead-his first movie role by the way) became their characters, without ever seeming to be 'acting' (the game show host, apparently a well-known Bollywood star, was particularly good). Plus, for those who haven't seen it, the female lead is drop-dead gorgeous-apparently she's a fashion model, and you can see why.

Agreed that it's not a 'study every frame to learn from a master' film, but certainly far better than an average "popcorn movie", at least by my definition. And that definition starts with Michael Bay and Nicholas 'Paycheck' Cage.

"Dammit..."
- There are a lot worse films you could study frame by frame... - Harmonia 17:27:11 01/08/09 (0)
  The film is extremely well crafted, just as vibrantly as its setting and subject - and that takes no little artistic skill. The shots, the framing, the editing - all are very carefully and dynamically executed.
  
  Boyle is a rteal filmmaker. It's absolutely OK to make a high quality crowd pleaser IMO. I'd rather watch this a hundred times than Life Is Beautiful. :-)
Although Dicken woulda loved it - don't underestimate the artistry this film represents. - Harmonia 20:16:57 12/29/08 (0)
Yup - I enjoyed it a bunch. Boyle's best film since Trainspotting.
The energy, swooshing camera, jump cuts, startling contrasts, all melded into a fluid narrative backed by a pounding Bollywood soundtrack - irresistable to me. Slumdog incorporates the color, vibrancy, contradictions and aspirations of its host country (India) to vivid effect. Is Slumdog unabashedly sentimental? You betcha, and none the worse for that. Is the ending predictable? Of course it is, and Boyle (and his screenwriter) wouldn't be true to the Bollywood spirit of the thing if they kept the lovers apart.
It's not perfect, but it's the kind of bold, entertaining film Hollywood wishes it could still make but can't. The studios don't seem to make smart pop movies that don't cloy or beat their subjects to death.

Besides, what exactly led you to believe this film was intended to be "realistic" or "intellectual"? Go see the excellent A Christmas Tale, which is something else altogether and may be more to your liking.
Slumdog is a "movie" movie. Yes, the tropes are familiar - rags to riches, hardscrapple orphans, fantasy, epic love story, social commentary, road movie, etc etc. But I think the filmmakers turned these familiar elements into something startling in its contrasts, touching and exhilerating.
I thought Patel was charming, although he didn't look a thing like the fellow playing his brother as an older teen.
Pather Panchali it's not. But Slumdog Millionaire is good and it's fun. A rare combo these days.

Edits: 12/29/08 12/29/08 01/06/09
Well, everyone I know who's seen it loves it... - EBerlin 17:23:01 12/29/08 (0)
...and every critic I've read loves it. I plan to see and fully expect to enjoy it.

One of my good friends saw it in the last few days right after a couple of weeks in India. He's a very discerning guy and thought it was truly wonderful. I spent nearly 5 weeks making a film in India several years ago and also anticipate that experience will alter how I see the film.
The film critics seem to... - mkuller 10:54:49 12/29/08 (1)
...love this film.
It is in many "Top Ten Films of the Year" lists - at the top of at least one.
In the "Critics' Consensus List" - which used to be a compilation of 40 different film critics - it scores in the top 3.
Touted as shoe-in for Best Foreign Film oscar.
I plan to see it soon.

Edits: 12/29/08
- Watched it, liked it, but not worth the accolades - grinagog 02:24:55 12/31/08 (0)
  Shallow Grave is still Danny Boyles best film
  
  If nothing else, Slumdog hints at how most of our World still lives in dire poverty, + the consequences of that
  
  GW

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