The first 11 months of this year were one of the most disappointing years for movies. Then came the last month of the year – The Reader, Slumdog, Synecdoche NY, Let the Right One In, MILK and a couple more. I was going to NYC just to see some of these when they were first released. And January is turning out to be just as good.

But Slumdog Millionaire won my heart and mind more than any other movie over the last few years. It is put together so well and even though it is such a feel good movie, it is not sugary sweet.

Make sure you go see this one if you haven’t yet.

Nick

Loved it!

It’s the kind of predestined love story, with two Dharavi urchins growing up as orphans, one brother becoming a gangster, that used to be common in the seventies Manmohan Desai or Prakash Mehra films. In fact, Zanjeer (1973) comes up as one of the answers to the TV quiz show in the movie.

Slum Dog is a good and watchable, but half way through it becomes like many other Bollywood movies. I certainly don’t understand all the fuss about it. Earth by Deepa Mehta was much better and Monsoon Wedding by Meera Nair was as good and more entertaining. Is it only because a British director made this movie that it is getting all this attention?

I haven’t seen the movie, but it sounds like it’s based on a great book called Q & A. In the book, the young man’s experiences (some rough) help him win a contest like “Millionaire” and get the girl. Read it!

I walked out on this movie well into the torture scenes especially of little children. Luckily I left before the most horrific brutality on a child. I never reached the romantic, uplifting love story. What frosts me is the way this movie is promoted as a light-hearted, uplifting romantic Bollywood epic. How can this be? As for revealing the dark side of India, where have you people been the last fifty years? If this were promoted as a documentary of the realistic side of life in India, fine–I’ve seen and read about this. An uplifting romance? I dont think so. ,

It’s a great movie I’ve seen it twice myself; one of these things that struck about it that hasn’t been talked about very much is the way the subtitles were color coded and put in the middle of the screen. I know that doesn’t sound like a big thing but it really does make the film much more readable and it is in my opinion an editing break through.

In a way this movie was like most bollywood movies – unreal stories. I guess it attracts attention because it is a bit more daring (looking at the hard details of slum life), BUT with the happy ending (which makes it hopeful).

Indian movie makers either go with Bollywood formulae, or do very serious artistic stuff (an equally formidable collection that never gets seen or recognized). This is a combination, and I guess from the awards “a winning one”. I worked with Mira Nair, who made Salaam Bombay. A heart breaker, haunting film, with kids from the slums, and no big stars. It also brought Mira to international fame and awards of course.

I must stay that while this award recognizes ’some’ aspect of India, and the film maker’s interest in India, this is not a truthful film, and one should just see it as a film. There are many more beautiful films made that can take international recognition.

I don’t know many kids, ever who have risen from the slum – and it would be interesting to know if your contributors have any names. I come from there, and know so many stars and survivors, but from the slum, and making it like Jamal??? not one.

I am disappointed with the movie, the slumdog has shown India in such a bad light, the movie sensationalized the bad things to win audience and make money. I am not against showing the bad things but sensationalizing the poverty & horrible things that happen in a country for commercial interest is a horrible thing.

Many Hollywood movies when they show india it’s horrible side, not a single movie came showing the good side, why??? Something to think about……

Jai

YOur speaker Asim is wrong – there are many good movies being made in India that are dealing with contemporary India (MANY) made by Indians, in non-bollywood formulae. They don’t make it to the West, and you don’t get to see them. There is for example a few made by this new director Madhu Bhandarkar – Traffic Signal, Page 3, Corporate….
The only movies that do get reviewed are from Bollywood, and usually have ridiculous stories (the antithesis of the realistic films)

I think the appeal of this movie has to do with the impact of western/US culture different societies and the enormous impact of media on social strata. How many people had access to that show, despite the poverty. Millionaire -the ultimate capitalist concept – and the reality of the feudal-like circumstances in India. The great monuments of India are subverted to places of commerce and meeting places of east and west. I do not believe that India made exotic. It is a picture of hyper-capitalism in response to globalization.

I have to take issue with the characterization of Boyle as a mainstream director. Boyle is an art house director he made one hollywood film and was very discouraged by the process.

This is true, A.R.Rahman has been making fabulous music for many years now, and this was nowhere near his best score. he should have gotten awards and international recognition long ago. But, knowing who he is and the person he is, I don’t think this matters to him as much as the ‘billion’ people of India.
Thanks for the show, but the people who are in the media (and your show today) need to be better at bridging the gap between all that is really good, and bringing it here. Not only to bring praise to a film made by a Western person. I mean, what about the writer, the book? This was someone else’s idea first, but I didn’t hear Asim mention the writer much, while he had much to say about the screenwriter coming up with an amazing script. !!!

Tom, I could not get on the radio, but would like to mention that it looks like an “inspiration story” (apart from the film making accolades it has received), and should be viewed in that light especially by the American audiences as has been promoted by our soon to be sworn-in president. We need something like this once in a while to keep us grounded and inspired! Have not seen it….but would like to go and see it definitely.

Ok, Slumdog is a good movie. But it does not deserve all the attention it is getting. In many ways Slumdog is rip-off of “City of God”. City of God is a far superior movie on many levels. However, City of God did not win any awards. Why? Because Hollywood hates foreign films. City had a Brazilian director, another strike against the film. Boyle from Slumdog is an established Hollywood director.

Ok, for all the Slumdog fans that think my rant is just sour grapes, please watch City of God. Yes you have to read subtitles. Then remember that City of God was made 6 years ago.

I loved this film, I thought the storyline to be brilliant with the flashbacks (sometimes very painful to watch), but after more conversation with other friends, I have mixed feelings about the film. One woman I know walked out because of the violence. Like Amy (above), another friend of mine, Bill,a former film professor was quick to point out the Western values reflected in this movie. Yes, globalization may be irreverseable but if other values are promoted, such as education, things may change. Call me an idealist but what might have happened if, as my friend suggested, education of the young woman was a goal…to get out of her slavery and go to school? Then, maybe, her friend’s ideal would have been to win money, to go for all and not just win her love but make all their dreams come true? Does money alone solve everything? Just look at the true outcomes of lottery winners, they often are penniless in years. I agree now with Bill, which does not take away from the incredible cinematograpy, music and acting. It will be a film to discuss for a long time. Dianne in VT

True, there have been many Indian movies that showed poverty, police brutality, and the universal urge to get ahead. An example, in addition to Madhur Bhandarkar’s Traffic Light, was Govind Nihalani’s Ardh Satya (1983). Commentators who claim that India does not produce such movies are simply wrong and are being unkind to Indian directors.

But I agree with Nupur on the show — such movies have not done well at the box office in India, and I doubt that Slumdog will do well there, either. What makes money with Indians (and the Indian diaspora) is the dream-like melodrama with songs, hot dances, and a poor storyline.

Slumdog hit the trifecta: it dealt with the hard subject matter as part of an uplifting story (Simon Beaufoy gets the credit here), it has excellent production values and a clear vision that can hook in Western audiences (Danny Boyle is primarily responsible for this), and it was backed by a Hollywood studio (both Warner and Fox Searchlight picked it up), which gave it the exposure.

Madhulika,

I can think of a couple of movies by Bimal Roy that were made in the Bollywood format (of the 50s – before the Indian parallel cinema was born) but were also realistic depictions of social issues. V. Shantaram’s “Do Aankhen Barah Haath” is another one, as is “Pyaasa” by Guru Dutt.

And yes, I agree with you about AR Rahman having done better music score than this current one.

Did anyone read

A Fine Balance and The White Tiger?

Because Hollywood hates foreign films. City had a Brazilian director, another strike against the film.

Mike,

That could be true, though I loved “Central Station” and it was nominated for two Oscars – Best Foreign Film and Best Actress categories.

YOur speaker Asim is wrong – there are many good movies being made in India that are dealing with contemporary India (MANY) made by Indians, in non-bollywood formulae.

I agree. If anyone says that India hasn’t been making good movies, that simply shows their lack of knowledge about Indian films. I watch a lot of movies from all over, and can find many Indian as well as Bollywood movies that are better (in all aspects) than the tired and clichéd sequels that Hollywood peddles and which are consumed without any critical analysis. Fast and Furious anyone? Third (or is it the fourth?) re-heated serving is on its way.

I am not particularly familiar with the Indian culture. I love indian food, and I’ve read several great books about India but I have never been to india nor do I even have any Indian friends, so I really can’t comment as to whether or not ‘Slumdog’ depicts indian culture accurately. But I have seen my fair share of movies and this is certainly one of the best. In fact, after I saw it for the first time (about a month ago) I could not only not stop thinking about it, but I couldn’t imagine anyone not loving it!
There is a perfect balance of emotion and action. The cinematography and soundtrack only add to its greatness, but the story is really what captured me. It is incredibly emotional and beautiful. Sure, there are may be “better” movies out there, but this one certainly special.
I can give ‘Slumdog’ only praise!!!!

I loved this movie, having visited India, several times, I concur it seems to have it all. Love the story, acting & music and that scene at the end!!!
Meanwhile, someone somewhere give us a list of other movies to be seen which are not as accessible as this one.Congratulations to all involved.

I much appreciated the film on first viewing.

But the question for me arises in this and many other films and television shows as well: does there have to be obligatory scenes of torture (since the past government in US has given the green light to it) in so many current productions?

For me it is unacceptable even in a fictional context. It lowers the bar of what is permitted in mainstream entertainment.

You can’t look away and expect to follow the rest of the film. So why have it in there? Is there an journalistic reference to actual events or is it just shock value?

No podcast for this hour while the Week in the News was uploaded an hour ago? Please check why this has failed to appear on the RSS feed.

Thanks for the mention of movies from the fifties Amit – you are right. The films were also elegant, and defined exquisitely the subtleties of culture and language.
As for suggestions of movies to watch, as someone asks, many are available on Netflix – try the Madhur Bhandarkar productions Chandni Bar, (is somewhat close to Slumdog Millionaire, wrenching, and real, although not super sophisticated as it was an early film made by this director M.Bhandarkar), try “Corporate”, “Page 3″, “Traffic Signal” – all very current real themes of contemporary India, There is Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara, & Maqbool, Shakespearean dramas set in India, Try Maachis…. There are fabulous movies in tamil, Bengali, Malayalam (to name a few movies), and anyone can find A.R.Rahman’s music. Especially songs in Tamil – they are unbelievable, and he is a humble wonderful guy.

I would advise all lovers of this movie to know that this is a fantasy film from a Briton, this is not representative of typical, this is NOT India (no slumdog, and I hate to use that disrespectful word for a slum resident, has won millionaire status as far as I know) although characters and places are drawn from there…..Thanks for reading

I’d like to know the significance of the color yellow. Anyone?

May be the sun. Normally the significant spiritual colour would be saffron – which is a mixture of yellow and red (loosely said). Colour is widely used a lot in India, and it is closely taken from nature’s cues.

Please talk about the difference between the structure of the book vs the structure of the movie. The structure was so key to the movie. How did the bollywood dance sequence get included in the movie? How did the book end?

I liked the movie. But this needs to be seen as a creative piece of work and not mistaken for a totally realistic portrayal. Danny Boyle did a good job, so did the writer of the book the movie was adapted from. I do not agree calling this a completely western movie since it has many elements of a bollywood movie that has been in Indian cinema for years. Many good Indian movies (mentioned above) failed to be recognized as they do not have a western connection like this movie did. A.R.Rahman is a very talented composer with works that is much better than the one in this movie, but I am happy that he was finally acknowledged for his work at this level.

Excellent movie
I really appreaciate the views.

Regards
Franklin
http://www.createmlm.com/

For me the film. Slumdog Millionaire was a disappointment, only because I’d heard such glowing reviews and comments, excepting Ben Mankiewicz, a reviewer. The scenes of the boys growing up amid the slums were great, but the movie turned mediocre as the boys grew older. The turn in the plot when the tv host, out of a mixture of jealously and bewilderment, has his current star for his show captured by the police by throwing a coat over his head and brutally thrown into a car to be tortured, and without a shred of evidence that the boy was cheating, was absurd. That twist to the story was contrived to add “drama.” To me it made the movie boring and the story manipulative.

I saw Slumdog Millionaire today. Boyle has really done a good job with this movie. While the movie deals with the gory details of the underbelly of Mumbai, it doesnt really leave you with a sick feeling. The story feels like a commentary and at the end you just feel good about the whole movie. Very well done I must say.

The music score by Rehman is amazing, the actors who played junior Jamal and Salim were the real stars. They were simply too good. Freida Pinto had just 15 mins of screen presence. I think she was overhyped.

[...] read more | digg story [...]

One other controversial point about Slumdog not addressed in the On Point discussion was the portrayal of Hindu vs. Muslim communal violence early on in the film. I would be curious if this is provoking any reaction in India, South Asia or among Indian immigrants in USA or UK or elsewhere. I also think it is important for Americans to realize that while the particulars of poverty in India may be different than in the USA, that there is great poverty and suffering in the USA as well. I hope viewers do not walk away from the film saying, “Only in India!!” because America’s social problems are quite scary and deserving of attention as well.

Michael,

The communal riot shown in the movie was quite fleeting, and the movie didn’t dwell on it or explore the underlying issues. So, not sure if there’s anything to discuss there.

Overall, SM is a pretty superficial movie as it doesn’t really explore any of the issues related to poverty, communal violence, prostitution or underworld crime.

And thanks for your perspective that misery exists world over, as many American victims of pedophiles would attest.

Since people on here continue to characterize boyle as being an established mainstream director I decided that I’d post a link to these numbers regarding his film career.

http://boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?id=dannyboyle.htm

Slumdog is the first film he’s directed that has made over 50-million of the eight films he has directed five grossed under 10 million in the U.S. Including 3 and 6 million for his last two efforts. Also, of his films only one was made in hollywood. Granted he probably does have more draw than an Indian director would in the west but to characterize Slumdog as only being successful because of Boyle as if Boyle were a director like Spielberg or Cammeron who could make a film about whatever he wanted and people would show up is highly misleading.

Slumdog is WAAAAY overrated. Its narrative style is a complete and utter rip-off of City of God’s. Slumdog also has several inconsistencies in its storyline: After winning the game-show, the boy sits on the railway platform and nobody recognizes him! Considering the popularity of the show, is that realistic? Two glaring omissions: To get invited to the show one has to answer several GK questions over phone or Internet. Even after making it to the show, a contestant can reach the hot-seat, only after qualifying through “fastest finger first”. All this is conveniently forgotten in the film. And of course the greatest flaw in the storyline: programmes like ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ and ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ are NOT telecast live. As a result the entire structure of the film becomes unrealistic. For a film that boasts of being realistic such a flaw cannot be overlooked.
Due to these flaws, “Slumdog Millionaire” is no better or worse than an average Bollywood masala film. The ending was also cheesy and the film’s inferiority in editing and cinematography make it seem like a cheap and commercial bastardization of the style pioneered by City of God. The only things Slumdog has going for it are the fact that it’s in English (sort of) and its British director. If it weren’t for that, this would have been just another Bollywood movie.

for a detailed analysis of significance of colours (especially yellow) in the movie slumdog millionaire, http://babusyed.blogspot.com/