Finally, a Game Show Worth Watching

We’ve all had this experience: watching a game show and yelling at the television because you know the answer the poor contestant doesn’t. If you were on the show instead of your living room you could win the cash instead of watching some dope haw and hmm over the possibilities. In reality, few ever get such a chance, and even fewer win it all. But that’s just the chance Jamal Malik, an 18-year old from the slums of Mumbai, gets when he makes it to the last question on the Indian version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” in the film Slumdog Millionaire, released January 23, 2009.

But how can a dirt-poor orphan with no education succeed where so many other smarter and more talented people have failed? The game show authorities suspect Jamal of cheating, and have him arrested when the show wraps one night. Through the telling of his past, Jamal reveals how he knows the answers. He collected the knowledge while living in the Mumbai slums with his brother, Salim, and his childhood love, Latika. Over the years, after surviving a brutal riot that took his mother’s life when he was a child, the cruelty of child-labor bosses and gang leaders, the loss of his brother to the sway of power and money and his desperate search for the missing Latika, Jamal somehow learns the answers to every question. His story also reveals why Jamal got onto the show in the first place: not to become rich, but to use the money to run away with Latika, whom he finally reunites with after many years. But she’s the girlfriend of a very powerful crime lord, and will never be able to escape unless Jamal has enough money for them to get far away. Once Jamal proves his innocence, he is released to answer the final question for 20-million rupees and the real prize, the chance to finally be with Latika. But will he guess right?

I thought this movie was fantastic. I was excited to see it after learning it was directed by Danny Boyle (who was also behind Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and Sunshine, three other great films), and I wasn’t disappointed. The movie captures the bright colors and textures of Mumbai so well you can almost taste it. The acting was superb, even from the younger cast members who played Jamal, Salim and Latika as children. Dev Patel does an outstanding job as the lovable and determined Jamal, and Madhur Mittal nails the despicable Salim. The music was wonderful as well, employing enough spice and innovation to not become just another Bollywood soundtrack.

Slumdog Millionaire is:

A) A great movie

B) Definitely worth seeing

C) Actually worthy of the many Oscars it won

D) One that shouldn’t be missed

I say all of the above.