I see a lot of new theatrically released films every year, although most of them between November and February. This year I had a three-month lapse between MOMMA MIA! and tonight, when I saw SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.
If someone had said to me, "One of the best films you will see this year will be a Bollywood film directed by Danny Boyle," I'd have said they were crazy.
If someone had said to me "One of the best films you will see this year will be about WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE.... in India!," I'd have said they were crazy.
If someone had said that the aforementioned film would be one of the most deeply romantic ever made, well, you know where this is going.
Turns out, I'm the crazy one. I can't recommend this film enough. There's a wonderful combination of Indian and American film styles, some excellent acting, and a fantastic script. If you get a chance, see it.
1 comment:
I have to agree that this movie is fresh -- ironic since WB got cold feet along the way and had Fox step in to share distribution costs. Sad. Hollywood is scared of something that is actually fresh but not "difficult". It's just a movie without a comic book hero and that tends to get execs nervous these days!
It's not a Bollywood film, although there are stylist elements (especially the closing credits) that definitely play to the tradition.
The screenplay is clever in revealing a man's life -- although there were points that the mumbled Indian dialog were tough to follow. (I don't think it was the sound system in the theater as there was an excellent sound stage otherwise.) I missed how Dev knew to call the show when the host said "if".
Boyle learned how to shoot a movie -- much better camera work than the shakey-cam he tried in 28 WEEKS LATER.
And there was a nice Dodger tie-in (albeit unintentional): MIA's Paper Planes. (This was their good luck song in the club house this year. ;-))
The crafting, pacing, and the like are really pure Hollywood and it's a shame that more movies aren't made like this each year.
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