By Zac Taylor
Editor-in-Chief
One of the best films of the year is, without a doubt, Slumdog Millionaire. Director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Layer, Millions) paired with screenwriter Simon Beaufoy (The Full Monty) adapted the novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup to bring this harrowing tale of love, tragedy, and triumph to the big screen. Set in modern day Mumbai (Bombay), the action begins with Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) one question away from winning 20 million rupees on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The excitement and glamour of the moment is short lived, as Jamal is suspected of cheating, considering he has been a slum dweller his entire life. Upon brutal interrogation, the police discover that Jamal was not cheating; the young man explains how he knew the answer to each question through tales of strife throughout his life.
Jamal and his brother Salim are played by 3 different actors each for different periods of their lives. They start out as seven year olds, conning tourists at the Taj Mahal by taking them on fake tours and stealing their shoes to make a few bucks. Their childhood friend Latika tags along, who came from the same overpopulated neighborhood, also an orphan. The threesome are recruited by a crime boss, who exploits them to beg for change. The brothers escape, but Latika is detained. Fast forward to age thirteen, where the boys have evolved to robbing train cars. They manage to locate Latika, but Jamal is abandoned in the midst of running from gangs and police. Just before the present day Jamal, now 18 years old, gets a slot on the hit television show, he slugs Salim upon reuniting. Latika (Freida Pinto), now a gorgeous young woman, has essentially become an indentured servant to Salim’s mob boss. She tries to abscond with Jamal, but is detained by Salim and his thugs. The chaos of Bombay and the riveting suspense of whether or not Jamal will win the game, get the girl, and become a rags-to-riches hero is wholly captivating.
“The book reveals Mumbai (aka Bombay) as a city in fast-forward,” Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy said. “It’s like a Dickensian London brought into the 21st century. It’s rapidly developing. The poor are poorer than ever before. The rich are richer than ever before. And there’s this mass of people in the middle, trying to force their way up. It’s a fantastic setting for a fairy tale.” Popular Bollywood star Anil Kapoor plays the role of Prem, the bawdy host of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? Stay after the ending to see some of Bollywood’s finest in a magestic, if slightly out of place, dance sequence featuring the entire cast.
