Slumdog Millionaire

[Watashi]

Trailer (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809956055/video/10452482/standardformat/)

Thought we had a thread on this? Weird.

They have FINALLY released a trailer for this film even though it comes out in two weeks.

[Ezee E]

Cheesy looking trailer, but I've heard nothing but outstanding things about it.

[Amnesiac]

Considering all the praise this one has been getting, I'll be seeing it as soon as possible.

[Raiders]

Danny Boyle has yet to make two good films in a row, so it'll be interesting to see if this breaks that streak.

[Pop Trash]

Danny Boyle has yet to make two good films in a row, so it'll be interesting to see if this breaks that streak.
I think he is a case of a very creative director that sometimes gets bogged down by screenplay issues. Case in point: Sunshine was visually striking and often brilliant but got derailed by third act problems. I still think Shallow Grave and Trainspotting are his two best films.

[monolith94]

You know… I think that I might be part of the crowd that this film apparently pleases…

[Ezee E]

You know… I think that I might be part of the crowd that this film apparently pleases…
Looking at your recently watched movies, I think you are a part of a crowd that is pleased by everything. :)

[Amnesiac]

Well, good news (perhaps not new news, though). This film is going to start trickling into theaters tomorrow (Nov 12th).

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/11/12/movies/12slum600.jpg (http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/movies/12slum.html?ref=movies)

And Manhola Dargis has also written a favorable and highly intriguing review (http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/movies/12slum.html?ref=movies).

And... I don't think it's opening in my area. Which sucks. Her review has really heightened my anticipation level.

[SirNewt]

I'm trying not to get too hyped about this. There've been a lot of letdowns this year.

[eternity]

There hasn’t been a social drama this decadently over-hyped since City of God. Boyle plays the same game of pandering to liberal sensibilities while entertaining safe, middle-class distance.

Shut the fuck up Armond.

[Ezee E]

Shut the fuck up Armond.
He might not be far off on that one considering the people it's played to thus far.

[number8]

The Armond review is interesting, because I noticed the same problems he did as I was watching it--but I pretty much forgot it all in the end, given that the good outweighs the bad by a significant margin.

It's City of God again, sure, but this time with actual substance to back up the flashy style, which puts it about twenty dozen steps ahead of the other one.

[NickGlass]

"If you loved City of God and Little Miss Sunshine, then you'll love (read: swallow all the coincidence-tinged, feel-good bullshit of) Slumdog Millionaire!"

I've never witnessed a film turn gruesome violence into such crowd-pleasing plot points (which some may describe as revelations, if they weren't really paying attention). It's so absolutely disgusting that all I could do was laugh. The reason why this film is gaining hype for being an unassuming awards contender is because the film overtly, and constantly, pushes this idea of the underdog, but it essentially has more in line with the manipulative, obnoxious bullies it portrays in such an over-the-top manner. The structure of the film becomes as immediately apparent as its multiple machinations and no amount of colorful tableaux, faux-gritty scenes in the Indian slums or quick cuts could overcome the film's tiresome struggle to the end. Mr. Boyle, some genuine joy or vivacity would have been much appreciated.

There's so much mystical nonsense this film tries to sell: characters recognizing extremely aged versions of each other, explicit references to the idea of destiny, and the absurdly treacle repetition of the phrase "it is written." Therefore, I don't predict it will be enjoyable to debate; the film blatantly lays everything on the table, so most discussions will likely revolve around one's belief in fate vs. luck. There will be no denying that the film has a very shallow understanding of subtlety, though.

This film has about the same amount of depth and insight as someone wielding the platitude, "everything happens for a reason."

[Ezee E]

Like we didn't see that coming.

:)

[Melville]

There will be no denying that the film has a very shallow understanding of subtlety, though.
Yeah, this was pretty bad. The story was sappy, feel-good nonsense, the characters were nothing but ciphers designed to get that sap moving, and the aesthetic was overwrought in the extreme.

[Raiders]

Based on the select few recent Bollywood films I have seen, Boyle is clearly trying to capture a national aesthetic here, one that favors grand sentiment and humor. Armond White is, shockingly, rather astute in his calling the film pandering and filmed with a rather congratulatory, middle-class distance. But, that doesn't stop the film from satisfactorily leveling a heartfelt, ecstatic portrait of a society filled with hardships that shape a young man into a wise and literate citizen capable of recollecting more life experiences, and thus more useful knowledge, than all the doctors and lawyers around. It also is an earnest view of love, that is romantic dedication, as a means of being a savior. The main difference between Jamal and Salim is Jamal's devotion to his emotional connection to Latika and his determination that easy money (it is implied that Jamal's ultimate monetary gain is the result of a lifetime of persevering) and assimilation into the societal issues will lead him the opposite of where he intends to go. The TV game show outline and the Usual Suspects-esque memory narrative make a film that is only skin-deep, and Boyle captures atrocities with the same cinematic vigor that he does romantic encounters, which leads to a rather imbalanced and superficial view of an entire social system at work.

A disappointment overall, but worth seeing.

[Amnesiac]

It's disheartening to see all this negative feedback, but... perhaps I'll still like it.

[Ezee E]

It's disheartening to see all this negative feedback, but... perhaps I'll still like it.
I expected as much with all the hype that came from the festivals.

[Melville]

I expected as much with all the hype that came from the festivals.
I probably should have read something about it before seeing it. I had no idea what to expect.

[NickGlass]

I expected as much with all the hype that came from the festivals.

I quote my friend: "well, at the festivals it won audience awards."

Slumdog is an obvious festival audience award winner for all the reasons Armond White states. Have you been to a film festival? Most of those people are just looking to have humanitarian liberalism served to them on a grandiose spoon.

Match-cut's minions aren't the audience award type of crowd.They have the ability to deconstruct.

[Ezee E]

I quote my friend: "well, at the festivals it won audience awards."

Slumdog is an obvious festival audience award winner for all the reasons Armond White states. Have you been to a film festival? Most of those people are just looking to have humanitarian liberalism served to them on a grandiose spoon.

Match-cut's minions aren't the audience award type of crowd.They have the ability to deconstruct.
I know exactly what you're talking about, and it still follows my point.

I haven't seen the film myself, so I can't comment on it just yet, but whenever filsm typically get raves at film festivals, audience awards, or "Best ofs", they tend to have higher expectations in their theater run by both us and the critical community.

At the very least, the film seems to be getting consistent "enjoyable" ratings across the board though, even by most of us.

I'll see it sometime this week.

[NickGlass]

I know exactly what you're talking about, and it still follows my point.

I haven't seen the film myself, so I can't comment on it just yet, but whenever filsm typically get raves at film festivals, audience awards, or "Best ofs", they tend to have higher expectations in their theater run by both us and the critical community.


True. I wasn't sure if you were implying that the negative reactions were simply claiming the film was a "disappointment" instead of legitimately calling it a bad film--which I think it is.

Festival crowds = Broadcast film critics of audiences
Match-cut = the alternative-weekly of audiences

[Qrazy]

Yeah the negative responses are disappointing but Boyle is a talented enough filmmaker (in an aesthetic sense) that I'll still probably see it as well. Same goes for someone like Michael Mann.

[Melville]

Yeah the negative responses are disappointing but Boyle is a talented enough filmmaker (in an aesthetic sense) that I'll still probably see it as well. Same goes for someone like Michael Mann.
I don't know. I found the aesthetic really garish, bordering on Tony Scott levels of irritating flair (though I realize Scott has a lot of fans around here). Michael Mann I'll agree with.

[Qrazy]

I don't know. I found the aesthetic really garish, bordering on Tony Scott levels of irritating flair (though I realize Scott has a lot of fans around here). Michael Mann I'll agree with.

Fair well I can't speak for this one but just in terms of his use of the camera on Sunshine, Trainspotting, Millions and even 28 Days Later.

[Melville]

Fair well I can't speak for this one but just in terms of his use of the camera on Sunshine, Trainspotting, Millions and even 28 Days Later.
Yeah, I liked the aesthetic in his other movies, and the overblown style in this one was definitely purposeful, in terms of creating an exaggerated tableau—I guess I just didn't care for that purpose. Although, now that E mentioned it, I probably would give this a borderline positive score, maybe 5.5/10. As far as shamelessly pandering cheese goes, it was pretty engaging.

[Qrazy]

Yeah, I liked the aesthetic in his other movies, and the overblown style in this one was definitely purposeful, in terms of creating an exaggerated tableau—I guess I just didn't care for that purpose. Although, now that E mentioned it, I probably would give this a borderline positive score, maybe 5.5/10. As far as shamelessly pandering cheese goes, it was pretty engaging.

Mmm I like cheese on my liberal crackers. They come lightly salted with justice.

[Ezee E]

Which makes me wonder why movies like Milk didn't take the film festival route. It definitely caters to the film festival audience.

Something like Gran Torino I might understand.

[NickGlass]

Which makes me wonder why movies like Milk didn't take the film festival route. It definitely caters to the film festival audience.


Because it's really gay and apparently marketers believe you need to be very careful when handling such a film.

[Ezee E]

Because it's really gay and apparently marketers believe you need to be very careful when handling such a film.
It even has quite the cast. I'm sure it'll eventually expand to 1000 theaters or so, but it seems strange to me that it's in less theaters than Slumdog Millionaire, a movie that looks like it should have subtitles (does it? I don't know myself) and not one person we've ever heard of.

[Qrazy]

It even has quite the cast. I'm sure it'll eventually expand to 1000 theaters or so, but it seems strange to me that it's in less theaters than Slumdog Millionaire, a movie that looks like it should have subtitles (does it? I don't know myself) and not one person we've ever heard of.

This is just a guess but I think Boyle probably has a better track record financially than Van Sant (at least in terms of both of their recent outputs). Also Slumdog has more violence which is a draw.

[Ezee E]

This is just a guess but I think Boyle probably has a better track record financially than Van Sant (at least in terms of both of their recent outputs). Also Slumdog has more violence which is a draw.
Gus Van Sant, when going mainstream, does pretty well though. They're not saying it's from the director of Paranoid Park and Elephant, they're saying it's from the director of Good Will Hunting.

Strangely enough, I have yet to see commercials for Slumdog Millionaire though.

[Stay Puft]

The main narrative is in English, all the flashbacks are subtitled.

And I have to concur with others here. Knowing beforehand that it won the audience award at TIFF, I had generated an idea in my mind of exactly what the film would look like, and it turned out to be pretty much that. It can be engaging for what it is - a simple and deterministic fairy tale (the 'overblown style' is often enjoyable here) but it also panders shamelessly and devolves into heavy handed and obnoxious, laughable details. I'm thinking particularly of the end, when the brother gets in a bathtub full of money. It just gets more lame as it goes.

edit: Yeah, I guess I just unconsciously repeated Melville's post there. I might as well rate it 5.5 out of 10 while I'm at it. ;)

[number8]

Prop 8 controversy. The timing is both helpful and damaging at the same time. They're marketing Milk carefully because of the parallels between what's going on right now and the revolution depicted in the film (which also includes a fight for a gay rights proposition). Milk could VERY easily be interpreted as propaganda. VERY easily.

[Qrazy]

The main narrative is in English, all the flashbacks are subtitled.

And I have to concur with others here. Knowing beforehand that it won the audience award at TIFF, I had generated an idea in my mind of exactly what the film would look like, and it turned out to be pretty much that. It can be engaging for what it is - a simple and deterministic fairy tale (the 'overblown style' is often enjoyable here) but it also panders shamelessly and devolves into heavy handed and obnoxious, laughable details. I'm thinking particularly of the end, when the brother gets in a bathtub full of money. It just gets more lame as it goes.

edit: Yeah, I guess I just unconsciously repeated Melville's post there. I might as well rate it 5.5 out of 10 while I'm at it. ;)

lol at your edit.

[NickGlass]

Prop 8 controversy. The timing is both helpful and damaging at the same time. They're marketing Milk carefully because of the parallels between what's going on right now and the revolution depicted in the film (which also includes a fight for a gay rights proposition). Milk could VERY easily be interpreted as propaganda. VERY easily.

This is true as well, yes. The film will inevitably benefit from Prop 8 passing, but don't you think releasing it before the election would have

Also, the mere fact that anyone could ever interpret Milk as propaganda deeply disturbs me. Being criticized for pushing an "agenda" for civil rights is simply absurd.

[Beau]

I liked it as an aesthetic experience-journey. As far as theme and characterization goes, it's fairly standard.

[Watashi]

I can't believe this isn't playing anywhere near me.

[Beau]

I can't believe this isn't playing anywhere near me.

Aren't you one of those rough ones? Don't you give out low ratings like candy at a dental office? Consider this film's lack of availability an act of mercy. It doesn't survive if you apply too much pressure. :)

[Ezee E]

Wats is one of the last around here that I'd call "rough" when rating.

[Beau]

Wats is one of the last around here that I'd call "rough" when rating.

Mmmh. I guess I have bumpy roads ahead if I'm to get used to this forum. Or maybe, roads littered with low numbers. I hate those.

[Ezee E]

Mmmh. I guess I have bumpy roads ahead if I'm to get used to this forum. Or maybe, roads littered with low numbers. I hate those.
There's one or two people who love just about everything here.

That's about it.

[Beau]

There's one or two people who love just about everything here.

That's about it.

I can manage. At least I won't get called a 'pretentious snob.'

[Ezee E]

I can manage. At least I won't get called a 'pretentious snob.'
Only baby doll gets that around here. Welcome.

[NickGlass]

I'm not looking forward to any more 2008 family parties where someone asks me how much I loved "Slumdog Millionaire." One down, three to go.

After engaging in a few arguments (from coworkers to relatives), it seems those who love it hide behind the idea that "people will finally realize how terrible it is in the slums of Mumbai and maybe they'll do something about the abject poverty." Am I horrible for finding this a ridiculously stupid way to cut a cheesy, manipulative film slack?

[Watashi]

You really need to move to the midwest, Nick.

[Sycophant]

Am I horrible for finding this a ridiculously stupid way to cut a cheesy, manipulative film slack?
No. Defending shoddy, cheesy art with good intentions does not a solid argument make.

[Watashi]

It was okay. I was surprised how much my audience was into it and applauded at the end. Weird for a movie with no name actors and a cultish director.

I pretty much agree with Raiders and the Puft man.

[Watashi]

I liked when everything went all Step Up 2 near the end.

[chrisnu]

I'm not looking forward to any more 2008 family parties where someone asks me how much I loved "Slumdog Millionaire." One down, three to go.

After engaging in a few arguments (from coworkers to relatives), it seems those who love it hide behind the idea that "people will finally realize how terrible it is in the slums of Mumbai and maybe they'll do something about the abject poverty." Am I horrible for finding this a ridiculously stupid way to cut a cheesy, manipulative film slack?
You're not horrible, but I'd like to have a single family member who'd even consider seeing an "indie" film, let alone love one.

[Ezee E]

Like Wats' crowd, mine loved the hell out of this. It's pretty bizarre, because no crowds really have the wooing, gasps, and joy at the end that usually comes from any film.

I dug it as well. Armond White may be right, but the main character remains true to himself the entire time. And the aesthetic that came with it all made it certainly worth watching, and I understand the audience awards that it won.

The Step up scene at the end was entirely Bollywood, and something that should be compared to Raiders' critique.

The weird part was M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" spot... My bro made fun of the fact that the girl never really cared for the main character until he had a lot of money in his potential future. Just like any other girl. haha.

[Boner M]

Yeah, most of you guys are right about this one. I thought it was mildly diverting for the duration but it pretty much evaporates from memory once it's over. The end credits made me wonder if the story would've been done more justice had the film been completely Bollywood-ized; Boyle's sensibility is merely chic rather than genuinely exuberant.

Meh.

[Boner M]

Haha, just saw Derek's rating. Thoughts plz, sir.

[number8]

In other news, I rewatched Sunshine on Bluray last night. It still rocks. And gorgeous.

That third act is awesome.

[Duncan]

Wow, its climax has all the drama of a fake episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire that you already know the ending of combined with what a 13 year-old boy would think is a super cool death scene!

This film kind of had me for the first 45 minutes. But it just kept getting worse and worse as it went on. I didn't mind the aesthetic except for a few shots.

And again with the opera! Stop it already!

[Boner M]

Several days later and I can barely recall one thing I liked about the film.

[Watashi]

Where was the opera in Slumdog?

[Watashi]

Several days later and I can barely recall one thing I liked about the film.
I like the soundtrack.

[eternity]

Will I hate this? Probably.

[Duncan]

Where was the opera in Slumdog?

After Latika gets recaptured by Maman there's an opera scene in which we get flashbacks of her missing the train. It's very weepy. Then they steal a bunch of purses.

[Duncan]

About that opera scene, I think it's pretty much the perfect example of how postmodern techniques can utterly fail a filmmaker. We've got Western culture clashing with Eastern culture, tonal shift (weepy to funny), every filter and colour you can slap on a lens, changing of narrative perspective, circular or at least non-linear time, and it all adds up to absolutely nothing. It's worthless.

[Duncan]

I can definitely see this being the kind of film I grow to hate with every mention of it. The more I think about it the less I like it.

[Ezee E]

After seeing a silly, overly ambitious movie like Synecdoche, NY, I start to appreciate the traditional Slumdog Millionaire.

I also really like the soundtrack. Have it on my iPod now.

[Watashi]

I can definitely see this being the kind of film I grow to hate with every mention of it. The more I think about it the less I like it.
By the time all the Oscars it gets, it will become the new Juno.

And E, don't make me neg rep you.

[NickGlass]

I can definitely see this being the kind of film I grow to hate with every mention of it. The more I think about it the less I like it.

I feel the same way and I saw it over a month ago. Let the headaches ensue...

[eternity]

Eternity is illiterate pt. 7

[Watashi]

You love me too much.
I'm not talking about you.

Go back to RT.

[eternity]

I'm not talking about you.

Go back to RT.

Oh, Ezee E. Got confused, apologies.

[Ezee E]

Here, I am E. And that title cannot be taken.

[eternity]

Here, I am E. And that title cannot be taken.Now established and celebrated.

[Derek]

After seeing a silly, overly ambitious movie like Synecdoche, NY, I start to appreciate the traditional Slumdog Millionaire.

I also really like the soundtrack. Have it on my iPod now.

I won't neg rep you for this, but I'm withholding your next positive rep from me for the excessive amount of wrongness contained in this post.

And Boner, haven't forgotten about you. I'm flying back east tomorrow and between airport and flight time should hopefully get caught up on thoughts on recent viewings so I should hopefully have some venom spewed in another couple days.

[Boner M]

When I think back on the film, the Bollywood number at the end - which I initially dug - strikes me somewhat insulting. It's almost as if Boyle puts it into the end credits because he thinks his film is more 'real' and socially conscious than the average Bollywood picture, so the exuberant musical number is confined to the equivalent of a blooper reel. Lame.

[Ezee E]

When I think back on the film, the Bollywood number at the end - which I initially dug - strikes me somewhat insulting. It's almost as if Boyle puts it into the end credits because he thinks his film is more 'real' and socially conscious than the average Bollywood picture, so the exuberant musical number is confined to the equivalent of a blooper reel. Lame.
I don't get that impression at all. I just see it as a homage, or something akin to the end of 40 Year Old Virgin.

[Ezee E]

I won't neg rep you for this, but I'm withholding your next positive rep from me for the excessive amount of wrongness contained in this post.

And Boner, haven't forgotten about you. I'm flying back east tomorrow and between airport and flight time should hopefully get caught up on thoughts on recent viewings so I should hopefully have some venom spewed in another couple days.
Haha. I will rep you though.

[Pop Trash]

I can definitely see this being the kind of film I grow to hate with every mention of it. The more I think about it the less I like it.
I haven't seen Slumdog. I'll try and catch it this week but I'm starting to feel that way about Benjamin Button. Some of the exuberant reviews I read make me like it less. It's really not that good folks.

[Mal]

Seeing it tomorrow, as well as Milk... we'll see if I actually agree with Nick (though imo, he often gets it right).

[Sxottlan]

True story: I go to see this movie today. I'm running through the snow up on to the sidewalk. I veer a little, step off the sidewalk and throw off my balance. I keep thinking I can right myself, but had been moving with enough momentum that I just keep stumbling for something like five feet before going down and planting my face into a brick wall.

...I was trying to think of some way of parlaying that into a metaphor for seeing the movie itself, but I can't. It's the Juno/Little Miss Sunshine/Crash of the year!

Seriously? They'd torture this kid? The hell? What a cheap way of getting the audience to sympathize with the main character right away. And Mr. Boyle, please right the camera. I was getting real sick of the skewed camera angles.

[monolith94]

There's one or two people who love just about everything here.

That's about it.
Me! Me!

[Ivan Drago]

Seeing this on Monday.


Me! Me!

Yeah, I'm guilty of it too.

[Silencio]

I dug it. It's a rousing picture, if you let it be so. First and foremost, it's a fairy-tale and once this is accepted, the film's heightened (yet authentic) emotions and effervescent style sweep you up. And what style it is. The direction is beautifully energetic, hyper, kinetic, exhilarating, and whatever other adjectives you wanna throw in there, allowing Boyle to create fantasy out of reality. It isn't very deep, and most of its pleasures are immediate rather than reflective, but it was a couple hours well spent and I was appreciative of the experience, even if it isn't deserving of its universal praise. 8/10

[Mal]

I dug it. It's a rousing picture, if you let it be so. First and foremost, it's a fairy-tale and once this is accepted, the film's heightened (yet authentic) emotions and effervescent style sweep you up. And what style it is. The direction is beautifully energetic, hyper, kinetic, exhilarating, and whatever other adjectives you wanna throw in there, allowing Boyle to create fantasy out of reality. It isn't very deep, and most of its pleasures are immediate rather than reflective, but it was a couple hours well spent and I was appreciative of the experience, even if it isn't deserving of its universal praise. 8/10

Yeah I sorta agree with this. While it does have that "feel-y good-y" stuff to it, it didn't make me dislike the picture more because it didn't try to challenge us beyond that. It's a decent film, with its ups and downs, and is enjoyable for 2+ hrs.

[Mal]

Seriously? They'd torture this kid? The hell? What a cheap way of getting the audience to sympathize with the main character right away.

Innocent until proven guilty?

[Wryan]

Well the film is certainly there, with gusto. It's a crowd-pleaser. Fine and dandy as it.

[Pop Trash]

I saw this with my family for our annual Christmas movie (last year it was everyone's fave Juno! which incidentally I quite liked at the time at least) My family is quite liberal and fancies themselves 'multicultural' so I can kind of understand what Nick Glass is saying. If this gets nominated for Best Pic this will certainly be in that category of feel-goody, schematic foreign films that catch on and people will give you dirty looks if you dare say anything bad about it (see also Life is Beautiful and Amelie)

I did like the aesthetic and it had some great moments of pure cinema (mostly when the characters are kids) like the diving into shit to get to the famous Bollywood actor and stealing food on the trains set to MIA songs.

But once "bad guys" are introduced it becomes pretty lame. The bad guys are so two dimensional they may as well have stepped out of a Stallone movie from the 80s. And the love story is fairly trite and by the numbers.

[eternity]

I don't see in any way how this is necessarily a "feel good film".

[NickGlass]

I don't see in any way how this is necessarily a "feel good film".

You. are. blind.

[eternity]

You. are. blind.He won and found his childhood crush. Doesn't change the fact that 99% of the film is just constant suffering for every character involved, the pain-bringers and the pain-receivers.

[Ezee E]

He won and found his childhood crush. Doesn't change the fact that 99% of the film is just constant suffering for every character involved, the pain-bringers and the pain-receivers.
99%. Your calculations are off eternity.

[Boner M]

He won and found his childhood crush. Doesn't change the fact that 99% of the film is just constant suffering for every character involved, the pain-bringers and the pain-receivers.
That is what is traditionally known as adversity, which the protagonist has to overcome, thus leaving the audience feeling good.

Geez, eternity.

[Ivan Drago]

Sometimes eternity's posts make me feel better after I post something stupid.

[Derek]

I can see eternity's point. I felt a bit nauseous throughout most of Slumdog.

[number8]

I think it's pretty textbook feel-good.

[eternity]

That is what is traditionally known as adversity, which the protagonist has to overcome, thus leaving the audience feeling good.

Geez, eternity.The first 110 minutes are nothing even near feel-good, and then in the very end, the film just kind of drops on you "Oh, but he won and got the girl, feel good now."

I get it's supposed to be a feel-good ending, but it's a really forced, awkward, not convincing one in the least.

[Boner M]

The first 110 minutes are nothing even near feel-good, and then in the very end, the film just kind of drops on you "Oh, but he won and got the girl, feel good now."

I get it's supposed to be a feel-good ending, but it's a really forced, awkward, not convincing one in the least.
I suppose I agree here. It's just, as number8 said, the film is pretty much textbook feelgood.

[Melville]

The first 110 minutes are nothing even near feel-good, and then in the very end, the film just kind of drops on you "Oh, but he won and got the girl, feel good now."

I get it's supposed to be a feel-good ending, but it's a really forced, awkward, not convincing one in the least.
I didn't think it was any more forced, awkward, or unconvincing than the rest of the movie. The ending seemed to follow pretty naturally from what preceded it. After all, we're talking about a movie in which the protagonist's never-say-die spirit is his sole distinguishing feature—and which introduces us to his indomitable pluckiness by having him jump into a pool of feces to earn our cringing sympathy. The whole plot and all the non-dimensional characters feel specifically designed to lead up to the happy ending.

Although I agree with you that "feel-good" is probably the wrong hyphenated compound adjective; "crowd-pleasing" seems more accurate.

[Ezee E]

Hmm...

This is going to win Best Picture.

Milk isn't succeeding as well.
Benjamin Button isn't getting the love.
Frost/Nixon will be happy if it gets a nomination.

The only movie that could beat it is Dark Knight, but that may not even get nominated.

Picture, Score, Cinematography, Song, and maybe Director seem like the wins.

[Pop Trash]

Hmm...

This is going to win Best Picture.

Milk isn't succeeding as well.
Benjamin Button isn't getting the love.
Frost/Nixon will be happy if it gets a nomination.

The only movie that could beat it is Dark Knight, but that may not even get nominated.

Picture, Score, Cinematography, Song, and maybe Director seem like the wins.
I agree its the frontrunner (unfortunately). But I think it is barely ahead of Ben Button at this point. I could easily see that winning as well (also unfortunately) I'm almost glad that Milk won't win since at least there won't be the inevitable backlash against it if it does win. Not counting TDK, Milk is my fave so far of the movies touted to get a BP nomination.

[jesse]

Oy--I had forgotten that any crowd-pleasing film with awards potential almost inevitably receives a vicious gang-bang over at MatchCut! :confused:

Been mulling this over for about 48 hours, here are some as-of-yet fragmented thoughts:

-I mean, let's face it: this is the stuff of early Capra done up in a slick, contemporary, multiculturally-minded package (is it mere coincidence that Dev Patel's prominent ears and perpetually befuddled expression more than recalls young Jimmy Stewart?). I suppose that's why I don't hold its shameless playing-to-the-audience against it any more than I do Mickey and Judy good-naturedly hoofin' it towards the backyard bonanza or an impassioned Stewart filibustering for Depression audiences--while such things are not necessarily close to my own intellectual or emotional interests, I think this does hold a particular and in some ways important social function, especially as America finds itself poised on the brink of the Great Depression 2.0. And I do find the sometimes problematic treatment of the underprivilaged of India is counteracted to some extent by the enthusiastic, unexpected embrace by a generally subtitle-allergic public (frankly, I never counted on seeing a day where my mother wholeheartedly enjoyed a film she where had to read at least half of the dialogue).

-While the tightly-constructed framing device generates most of the suspense and keeps the action tight and lean, it's also its most obvious weakness: Boyle and screenwriter Simon Beaufoy's relentless tying-back to the over-obvious (and a rather patronizing) "it is written" Wise Statement undercuts what is already elegantly expressed in the flashbacks, where in the grand Dickensian tradition every corner turned possibly holds life-changing (or life-ending) consequences. The film is at its best when each moment seems poised to burst into countless unimagined directions according to actions take, often out of mere instinct, like life presented as one of those Chose Your Own Adventure books. Unfortunately this is undercut when these sequences are treated by the rigid narrative structure as self-contained pieces of a puzzle meant to form an overarching pattern. What is inevitably lost is that vital, organic sensation of a life being lived.

-I couldn't help but be disappointed in the romance element of the film. Not in its depiction necessarily--the hero pining for the elusive lady is as old as the Greeks and as archetypal as can be--but in the rather marginal treatment of the character of Latika. She seemed to possess a fascinating, tragic and ultimately redemptive story of her own that we barely get a glimpse of. I wanted a real person, not a narrative pawn. Probably the most wasted opportunity in the film, methinks.

I guess I'll take the unpopular stance in these parts and say I'd be just fine if this ended up taking the Academy's (useless) top award. I won't claim any kind of greatness for it, it's at least a big step up from two years running of Best Pic selections I never even saw out of utter indifference.

-jesse

[Pop Trash]

Pity you are indifferent to No Country for Old Men. My vote for best best pic winner since American Beauty.

[jesse]

Pity you are indifferent to No Country for Old Men. My vote for best best pic winner since American Beauty. While admitting that it might be my loss, it's a risk I'm willing to take.

Saw American Beauty for the first time earlier this year, actually. Was s'okay, I suppose.

-jesse

[thefourthwall]

My bro made fun of the fact that the girl never really cared for the main character until he had a lot of money in his potential future. Just like any other girl. haha.

I think Latika was interested in him and cared for him before he had a potential for money, she just happened to care that he stay alive more than that she be with him. I would imagine that the mistress of a wealthy mobster would have to run far to get away from his influence, and she has never had the experience of being able to live without someone else's support, so she doesn't have much hope for it as a possibility. Plus, she does try to go to the train station and meet Jamal before he's even on the game show; that's why they cut her cheek.


I like the soundtrack.

Me, too!


It's almost as if Boyle puts it into the end credits because he thinks his film is more 'real' and socially conscious than the average Bollywood picture, so the exuberant musical number is confined to the equivalent of a blooper reel. Lame.

I don't get this. You think he should have been having musical numbers throughout? I saw the final dance as a nod to the Bollywood industry, showing that Boyle was taking on some Indian cinematic aesthetics--although the whole notion of "it is written" and a happy end is fairly prevalent in the industry as well--rather than just being a foreign director who makes a film about another culture, solely from his point of view.

This fusion filmmaking of East/West cinematic sensibilities in a somewhat wider release film has happened before Bride & Prejudice and Monsoon Wedding come readily to mind, but I can't recall any that were directed by individuals without an Indian heritage. So while Boyle isn't as integrating as Nair and Chadha, he does more than I've seen from any other white male directors. (I'm sure someone will tell me if I'm wrong.)

[thefourthwall]

Overall, I quite liked it. Possibly some of this is just day-after glow, but I think it'll have some staying power with me. Though the story is simplistic and potentially even obvious, that doesn't mean that it's necessarily poor quality. It seems to me that a healthy amount of the dislike this thread reveals is due not to the film itself, but the genre/ambition of it. Does "feel good" always mean that that feeling is unexamined (I'm assuming this is what all the snobbery over "audience awards" signifies)? While I like films that expose me to new thoughts and ideas and make me think, I also like films that make me root for the good guy, hiss for the bad guy, and that those two are clearly distinguished. Must films always make me uncomfortable to be challenging?

In regards to the film proper, there certainly are some glossy smoke and mirrors so you don't examine the story too closely, but overall the story is tightly organized and told. The mis-en-scene is interesting and engaging. The main character is worthwhile to follow. Side characters hint at interesting back stories. I'm going to let it sink in for another day or two before going into more detail...

[DavidSeven]

Better as a fairy tale than as commentary. Replace the panhandling ring, the gangsters, and some eye-rolling stabs at social gravitas with more work on Jamal/Latika and you might have a great piece of pop filmmaking. As it is, it's pretty good. I'll admit getting swept up in the moments that did not resemble City of God: Escape 2 Mumbai. Could use less running.

[Boner M]

I don't get this. You think he should have been having musical numbers throughout? I saw the final dance as a nod to the Bollywood industry, showing that Boyle was taking on some Indian cinematic aesthetics--although the whole notion of "it is written" and a happy end is fairly prevalent in the industry as well--rather than just being a foreign director who makes a film about another culture, solely from his point of view.
But he acknowledges the influence throughout the film; hell, it's basically a Bollywood film sans music. My beef is the way the film posits itself as 'edu-tainment'; as if the representation of poverty, religious wars, gang violence and general adversity in contemporary India is inherently noble, even if - as Nick says - it means cheapening those issues by reducing them to stock-standard obstacles that our hero(s) must overcome. By the end of the film, I felt that an out-of-reach ringing mobile phone that must be answered in the nick of time had the same weight as all of the more pressing hardships presented.

So yes, the end credits sequence is a playful homage, but on the other hand, to me it felt emblematic of the film's condescension toward Bollywood cinema; it's almost as if Boyle and co. are saying, "oh, and here's a little taste of those quaint little films we just totally upstaged by the virtue of a reality check". I'm not so much complaning that the film needed musical numbers throughout for its contrivance-laden plot to be more palatable (although perhaps it would've worked better), but rather that said sequence was included at all.

EDIT: Perhaps I should disclose that I've seen a total of 1 Bollywood films in my life (Lagaan, which I liked very much).

[Boner M]

Oy--I had forgotten that any crowd-pleasing film with awards potential almost inevitably receives a vicious gang-bang over at MatchCut! :confused:
...
it's at least a big step up from two years running of Best Pic selections I never even saw out of utter indifference.
Yes, we're so predictable, Mr. I-avoid-mean-looking-movies-with-brooding-men-shooting-each-other. ;)

[Wryan]

I admit to getting a little weak at the montage of India gathering to watch the final night of the gameshow.

[Melville]

I admit to getting a little weak at the montage of India gathering to watch the final night of the gameshow.
The weakness of excitement, or the weakness of nausea?

[jesse]

Yes, we're so predictable, Mr. I-avoid-mean-looking-movies-with-brooding-men-shooting-each-other. ;) Touché!

*laughs*

By the way, Kevin just put up his thoughts on this film (he included it in his top ten of the year):


From Shooting Down Pictures (http://alsolikelife.com/shooting/?p=940):

9 - Slumdog Millionaire (Danny Boyle) - “It romanticizes poverty and makes it seem fun” the critics say. Bollywood has been turning poverty into joyous cinema for over 60 years, so you know what, get a clue. This film honors that tradition, taking Bollywood’s penchant for fabulous, borderline credible narrative incident as an occasion to hit audience’s aching wish fulfillment smack between the eyes, and does as good a job at it as any of the classics. And frankly it’s amazing to have a film that so blatantly depicts the injustices and suffering of an entire people in such wide distribution. For that, those tears of joy at the end are very much earned.

[Boner M]

Touché!

*laughs*

By the way, Kevin just put up his thoughts on this film (he included it in his top ten of the year):
To your credit, I suppose feel-good is essentially better than feel-bad.

I saw the film's placement on Kevin's Indiewire ballot; I'm always interested in reading his thoughts (thanks for also reminding me that haven't caught up with SDP's recent video essays - one of my favorite movie-related things on the web).

[jesse]

I saw the film's placement on Kevin's Indiewire ballot; I'm always interested in reading his thoughts (thanks for also reminding me that haven't caught up with SDP's recent video essays - one of my favorite movie-related things on the web). Did you know Chris-435? The Garp video is pretty fascinating.

I just wished the films he was doing all these videos for weren't so damn esoteric--I don't want to watch something so in-depth when I haven't seen the film itself...

[Boner M]

Did you know Chris-435? The Garp video is pretty fascinating.
Yeah, I watched it a few moments ago. I remember Chris from back in the day (mostly for her constant championing of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre; she always had something awesome to say). I haven't seen Garp, but I found her identification with Lithgow's character very touching, as well as a great testament to the strengths of the video essay format.

I agree with you about the obscurity of the films discussed - too often I'll watch it for the inevitable quality of discourse (or simply to hear what that person's voice sounds like) regardless of having the film spoiled for me.

[Duncan]

What are these video essays you guys are talking about? I am curious.

[Boner M]

What are these video essays you guys are talking about? I am curious.
They're posted sporadically at Shooting Down Pictures (http://alsolikelife.com/shooting/), where Kevin B. Lee attempts to watch every film on TSPDT's top 1000 list, with all sorts of different types of commentary. You can access the entire archive of his videos here (http://www.youtube.com/user/alsolikelife).

[Wryan]

The weakness of excitement, or the weakness of nausea?

Neither. Just the weakness to a well-crafted montage that was contextually stirring.

Must I qualify everything into dust!

/runs off and weeps........and throws a sandwich on the floor

[Duncan]

They're posted sporadically at Shooting Down Pictures (http://alsolikelife.com/shooting/), where Kevin B. Lee attempts to watch every film on TSPDT's top 1000 list, with all sorts of different types of commentary. You can access the entire archive of his videos here (http://www.youtube.com/user/alsolikelife).

Neat. Thanks.

[jesse]

Neat. Thanks. So was just directed to this from Kevin's Facebook page:

YouTube Cracking Down on Critical Video Essays (http://blog.spout.com/2009/01/12/youtube-cracking-down-on-critical-video-essays/)

That's kinda... unbelievable... considering how much copyrighted material is floating around on YouTube...

[number8]

See?

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/slumdogbus.jpg

[eternity]

See?

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/slumdogbus.jpg

This movie better go away faster than Taylor Hicks.

[number8]

This movie better go away faster than Taylor Hicks.

I just passed a theater advertising him playing Grease not 15 minutes ago.

[chrisnu]

This won Best Picture? I don't know; this just feels like this year's Tsotsi, where an impoverished young character overcomes adversity and makes everyone happy. That had the gimmick of a baby as the narrative engine, this has the gimmick of Millionaire. The gangsters in this movie could've come out of Tsotsi, or any other movie with Generic Bad Guys whose sole purpose is to create sympathy for the protagonist. I did like some of the scenes with Jamal, Salim and Latika as small children, all on their own, primarily because it had the allure of unpredictability. You could never anticipate where life was going to take them. Once Maman and Javed show up, it becomes entirely textbook.

[eternity]

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/770/slumdogpostermc1.png

[Wryan]

Geez, people can be mean. I thought it was just fine for what it wanted to do and achieve.

It was "cute."

[Ezee E]

I don't understand why someone would go that far out of their way to make something like that. It's not even funny.

[number8]

I don't understand why someone would go that far out of their way to make something like that. It's not even funny.

I don't think funny is what it was going for.

[transmogrifier]

I think its funny that, every year, without fail, there is a slight, breakout faux-indie movie that for some inexplicable reason gets internet geeks all foaming at the mouth, as if it was the end of cinema as we know it.

2004 - Garden State
2005 - Hard Candy
2006 - Little Miss Sunshine
2007 - Juno
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire

For the record, Garden State is horrendous (the worship of the second-most overrated indie darlings The Shins does not help at all), Hard Candy is average, Little Miss Sunshine is funny, Juno is dull as all hell, and I haven't seen Slumdog.

[Boner M]

Uhh, Hard Candy didn't do shit and it came out in '06 anyway.

I think Thumbsucker was supposed to fit the bill for '05, but didn't make a dent. I guess everyone had their head on straight that year.

[Ivan Drago]

I think its funny that, every year, without fail, there is a slight, breakout faux-indie movie that for some inexplicable reason gets internet geeks all foaming at the mouth, as if it was the end of cinema as we know it.

2004 - Garden State
2005 - Hard Candy
2006 - Little Miss Sunshine
2007 - Juno
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire

Hmmm...I might write my Film Theory paper about this trend.

But would Napoleon Dynamite be considered for 2004 as well?

[Henry Gale]

Pretty sure 05's would have to be Crash.

I don't hear people go on and on about Hard Candy being amazing and eye-opening stuff. Plus the cast sure as hell wasn't on Oprah or anything.

And yes... Napoleon Dynamite's love was infinitely more annoying than Garden State's.

[transmogrifier]

Pretty sure 05's would have to be Crash.

I don't hear people go on and on about Hard Candy being amazing and eye-opening stuff. Plus the cast sure as hell wasn't on Oprah or anything.

Yeah, I think Hard Candy is more of a Match Cut mouth-foamer.

Napolean Dynamite would indeed be one.

[DavidSeven]

I blame hipster nihilism.

[Ezee E]

Film Festivals don't get enough hate for putting these out.

[Derek]

Do people need to be reminded that Hard Candy spent like 20 minutes making you think Ellen Page was going to cut off Patrick Wilson's dick? Or was it the ingenious use of primary colors on the walls that worked for you?

[number8]

Film Festivals don't get enough hate for putting these out.

Sundance is no longer cool as far as I'm concerned.

[Watashi]

Sundance is no longer cool as far as I'm concerned.
I do want to see that Patton Oswalt film directed by the guy who wrote The Wrestler.

[number8]

I do want to see that Patton Oswalt film directed by the guy who wrote The Wrestler.

Big Fan? Yeah, he wrote that before The Wrestler. It sounds really interesting.

[Wryan]

I'm curious about Big Fan as well. Not sure how Patts will do being all serious actor up in it, but I'm looking forward to hearing more about it. It sounds pretty cool.

[Wryan]

I'm curious about Big Fan as well. Not sure how Patts will do being all serious actor up in it, but I'm looking forward to hearing more about it. It sounds pretty cool.

On this note, here's a quickie Onion review:

http://www.avclub.com/articles/noel-murray-sundance-09-day-five,22861/

I imagine the last line or so of the review could possibly hint at an attempt at revenge on Patton's character's part.

[eternity]

I do want to see that Patton Oswalt film directed by the guy who wrote The Wrestler.

He did also write Zohan and The Onion Movie...

[ledfloyd]

He did also write Zohan and The Onion Movie...
he didn't write zohan, that's robert smigel.

[eternity]

he didn't write zohan, that's robert smigel.
Damn you similar names and someone not catching this that wasn't me because I first read that in an article somewhere else!

[thefourthwall]

I get excited every time someone posts here, but of late none of it has related much to the actual film.

I'm curious about the quiz show host...

why do you think he tried to give Jamal the wrong answer? Pure jealousy?

[Derek]

I get excited every time someone posts here, but of late none of it has related much to the actual film.

I'm curious about the quiz show host...

why do you think he tried to give Jamal the wrong answer? Pure jealousy?

It seemed like the host was a producer of the show or at least had a good amount of control over it. I imagine giving away that kind of money would've made it a bit more difficult to have a profitable year. That and, to a lesser extent, the fact that he's arrogant and probably didn't want Jamal to succeed the way he did.

[number8]

I don't think that's it. He tells you in the movie why he didn't want Jamal to win.

No one has ever done it, and now the first person to come close is a chai walla. He thinks it would ruin the reputation of the show to have this rags-to-riches story overshadow it. Remember that Jeopardy guy? It was all about him and not the show anymore. Now we remember him as the Jeopardy guy. When the host handed Jamal to the cops, he said "This is my fucking show!" To have Jamal become the first winner of the show would make him the "Millionaire" guy forever, when up until then the host was "the guy."

[Derek]

I don't think that's it. He tells you in the movie why he didn't want Jamal to win.

No one has ever done it, and now the first person to come close is a chai walla. He thinks it would ruin the reputation of the show to have this rags-to-riches story overshadow it. Remember that Jeopardy guy? It was all about him and not the show anymore. Now we remember him as the Jeopardy guy. When the host handed Jamal to the cops, he said "This is my fucking show!" To have Jamal become the first winner of the show would make him the "Millionaire" guy forever, when up until then the host was "the guy."

What exactly did he say in the movie? I don't remember him giving any concrete reasons why he would've misled Jamal. I don't see how you can tell whether it was because of the money (he certainly flaunts his riches to Jamal enough) or the fame, which he obviously also values, but really, I could care less either way.

[number8]

What exactly did he say in the movie? I don't remember him giving any concrete reasons why he would've misled Jamal. I don't see how you can tell whether it was because of the money (he certainly flaunts his riches to Jamal enough) or the fame, which he obviously also values, but really, I could care less either way.

What I said in the prev post. He said Jamal would be the first, he said Jamal would do what no professors could, he said Jamal would become a national treasure and source of pride for his people, he said Jamal would become the star. Then, when he turns Jamal in to the cops, he yelled "This is MY fucking show!" and punched the wall. It's kind of obvious.

[Derek]

What I said in the prev post. He said Jamal would be the first, he said Jamal would do what no professors could, he said Jamal would become a national treasure and source of pride for his people, he said Jamal would become the star. Then, when he turns Jamal in to the cops, he yelled "This is MY fucking show!" and punched the wall. It's kind of obvious.

I just asked what he said since I didn't remember. No need to be a dick about it.

[number8]

??? How was anything I said remotely dickish?

[Ezee E]

I wish it was done the way I saw it. Where you didn't find out until after he answers the question.

[Derek]

??? How was anything I said remotely dickish?

*Sigh* Damn internet. That's just how I read the repeated "He said". My bad.

[Spaceman Spiff]

This drivel will win Best Picture.

[number8]

Haha, looks like we ain't the only ones annoyed by Slumdog's global acceptance:

http://hosted.ap.org/photos/4/440b84f9-ecff-4b69-9ca3-f0369b9dd5ad-big.jpg


Residents of a nearby slum demonstrate outside the office of Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, one of the main casts of the movie “Slumdog Millionaire,” demanding that the name of the film be changed, in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. Two dozen slum kids carried banners of protest Thursday, saying they were not slum dogs and demanded a change in the name of the award-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire." (AP Photo)

[thefourthwall]

That's really interesting. Although I thought the point was that the term was derogatory even within the film. I didn't think it was just supposed to be a "down on his luck, by gosh" okay moniker. Isn't the host the only one who uses it? Clearly, he's one of the villains of the film.

[Ezee E]

That's really interesting. Although I thought the point was that the term was derogatory even within the film. I didn't think it was just supposed to be a "down on his luck, by gosh" okay moniker. Isn't the host the only one who uses it? Clearly, he's one of the villains of the film.
They haven't seen the movie is my guess. Probably because they don't have any money.

Zing?

[number8]

That's really interesting. Although I thought the point was that the term was derogatory even within the film. I didn't think it was just supposed to be a "down on his luck, by gosh" okay moniker. Isn't the host the only one who uses it? Clearly, he's one of the villains of the film.

Right, but I think the offense caused is that even though it is meant to be a derogatory term, it's in the title and it describes the main character. So much so that most reviews of the film use the sentence "Jamal Malik, a slumdog who..." It popularizes the term globally, with the amount of press this movie is receiving. Hey, if an Oscar nominated film can use it in a title, you can refer to them that way too, right?

Put it this way... if Gran Torino was called Zipperhead Courage and all the reviews describe the character as "Thao, the shy zipperhead who..." I'm pretty sure there would be some protest, as well.

[thefourthwall]

Right, but I think the offense caused is that even though it is meant to be a derogatory term, it's in the title and it describes the main character. So much so that most reviews of the film use the sentence "Jamal Malik, a slumdog who..." It popularizes the term globally, with the amount of press this movie is receiving. Hey, if an Oscar nominated film can use it in a title, you can refer to them that way too, right?

Put it this way... if Gran Torino was called Zipperhead Courage and all the reviews describe the character as "Thao, the shy zipperhead who..." I'm pretty sure there would be some protest, as well.

Makes sense, thanks for the thoughts.

Aren't the terms people use silly sometimes? What is intended to be derogatory and what is taken as such? I'd never heard the term "zipperhead" until your post--if it wasn't in the context of this discussion, I probably would have giggled at it's absurdity. Like the time I did when watching The Searchers and John Wayne calls someone a "blankethead." I just thought he was frustrated, and like a four-year-old used the first noun that came to mind. When I mentioned this to my friend who also watched the film, I felt a bit put down when she glared at me and told me she found the term offensive. Then I realized that it was akin with "half-breed". Oops.

[MadMan]

So this finally came to my area. I guess I'll go see it, considering that its one of the favorites to win Best Picture.

[Ivan Drago]

Seeing this again either tomorrow or Sunday. Then we'll see if I still like the film or if I'm a hater.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Saw this tonight. I might come up with something a bit more detailed and sophisticated tomorrow (which is more than the film offered), but for now I'll keep it to Slumdog Meh-llionaire.

[Spinal]

Captivating story. Really enjoyed the conceit of interlinking the game show questions with the personal journey. Moments here and there ring false, but the most important thing is that the underlying message comes through powerfully: that the greatest knowledge we acquire is not always from books or classrooms, but through hard-earned experience. Loved that climactic phone conversation.

[Ezee E]

Captivating story. Really enjoyed the conceit of interlinking the game show questions with the personal journey. Moments here and there ring false, but the most important thing is that the underlying message comes through powerfully: that the greatest knowledge we acquire is not always from books or classrooms, but through hard-earned experience. Loved that climactic phone conversation.
At least there's one other besides me that enjoyed it a lot.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I found the love story underdeveloped to the point that I didn't much care (or at least, didn't feel emotionally invested like I should have), I thought Salim's arc was completely undeserved, I thought the violence was exploited and exaggerated just to make the film more "harrowing", and frankly, I found the whole thing kind of sluggish. People keep using the word "energy" when talking about this film, and it must just be the flashy editing and bright colors, because I found nothing about the actual story or the telling of that story "energetic". Also, call my cynical or jaded, but it was cheesy. It didn't feel romantic or Capra-esque (which I was hoping for), instead it just felt melodramatic in the worst way.

[EyesWideOpen]

At least there's one other besides me that enjoyed it a lot.

I thought it was fantastic.

[Spinal]

Also, call my cynical or jaded, but it was cheesy.

I would never call you cynical or jaded.

I prefer the term 'Captain Grumpypants.'

[Ezee E]

I would never call you cynical or jaded.

I prefer the term 'Captain Grumpypants.'
K-Fan always wanted a different username.

I think you found it.

[Ivan Drago]

I thought it was fantastic.

As did I.

I will be fine with Slumdog winning Best Picture.

[Ezee E]

As did I.

I will be fine with Slumdog winning Best Picture.
Hmm... The Reader, Milk, Benjamin Button.

Haven't seen Frost/Nixon yet.

Damn. I guess I agree.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I prefer the term 'Captain Grumpypants.'

Fair enough.

In all seriousness though,

you didn't find Salim in the bathtub filled with money cheesy? Or his self-sacrifice that comes out of left field? What, because he prays in the morning he's suddenly an unselfish martyr type? Or the host who willfully tries to deny this kid money because he wants to be the only success story from the slums? Really? That's his reasoning? Or the interrogators who, while seeming so level-headed and understanding for most of the movie, decide to kick things off with some heavy torture? These elements aren't cheesy and manipulative?

[Spinal]

In all seriousness though,

you didn't find Salim in the bathtub filled with money cheesy? Or his self-sacrifice that comes out of left field? What, because he prays in the morning he's suddenly an unselfish martyr type? Or the host who willfully tries to deny this kid money because he wants to be the only success story from the slums? Really? That's his reasoning? Or the interrogators who, while seeming so level-headed and understanding for most of the movie, decide to kick things off with some heavy torture? These elements aren't cheesy and manipulative?

Kinda.

Probably.

Unclear.

Made sense to me.

Sure.

I also assumed that he had some sort of financial investment in the show that he thought might be hurt. Might also be a caste thing. Isn't there resistance in that culture to rising in caste? Thought that was one of the film's major themes.

Didn't really bother me. Maybe it should have. Thought they made it clear that they accidentally went father than they intended.

Not outrageously so considering how much the film gives in return.

[lovejuice]

count me in as those who doesn't mind the film winning BP.

it really makes a different when you gets in not knowing anything about the hype. or the over-hyped. the film is well-made in a manipulative sort of way. and even though it falls apart near the end, by that time, we are so engrossed with the story, and can forgive some of the flaws.

[EyesWideOpen]

count me in as those who doesn't mind the film winning BP.

it really makes a different when you gets in not knowing anything about the hype. or the over-hyped. the film is well-made in a manipulative sort of way. and even though it falls apart near the end, by that time, we are so engrossed with the story, and can forgive some of the flaws.

I watched it like the first day it came out in my area so I wasn't informed that I was supposed to hate it yet.

[Derek]

Man, poor Slumdog Millionaire! How will it cope with the few people at MatchCut who dislike it? Perhaps the huge box office success, critical acclaim and the seemingly endless supply of awards nominations and wins will take some of the sting away.

[Morris Schæffer]

Not as powerful as I had expected. I'm a little puzzled by the finale. It seems to have some kind of symbolic power what with Selim dying in a money-filled bathtub, but I'm unsure what. Why didn't he run away? Why the sacrifice by locking himself into a room? Why not attack the bad guys head on and make a run for it? Because he was afraid that his employers would find the girl no matter what?

I was also a bit annoyed by the breakneck actionmovie-like pace of this movie sometimes, but I sorta adjusted to it after about 30 minutes.

**½

I still want Frost/Nixon to win, but I've yet to see three more movies.

[Boner M]

I watched it like the first day it came out in my area so I wasn't informed that I was supposed to hate it yet.
Just... stop. You're not doing fans of the film any favors.

[balmakboor]

I loved it. That's all for now.

[DavidSeven]

At the very least, it's highly competent pop entertainment -- something Boyle has proven himself very adept at over the years. I don't see how it's a transcendant exerpience of any sort, but if viewed in a vacuum, I don't see a reason to tear it down. It's biggest flaw is its lack of genuine conviction re: politics while showing images that seem to beg for such. Engrossing, not compelling -- nothing more, nothing less.

[transmogrifier]

Just... stop. You're not doing fans of the film any favors.

Um....so what? If there is one thing I can't stand, it's people assuming that all who like the same movie (or song or TV show) are a single entity with a hive mind, and thus what one fan does or says is a direct reflection of the mentality of that group.

EyesWideOpen speaks for himself. That is all.

[Mysterious Dude]

Of the Oscar nominees I've seen (Milk and Slumdog), I think I'll root for Slumdog.

[EyesWideOpen]

Yay my first negative rep.

[DavidSeven]

One thing though: this thing receiving a slew of acting nominations (and a Best Ensemble win at SAG) is pretty absurd. At least the Academy didn't recognize the film in these categories.

[Spinal]

One thing though: this thing receiving a slew of acting nominations (and a Best Ensemble win at SAG) is pretty absurd. At least the Academy didn't recognize the film in these categories.

Gotta agree with this. The acting was spotty at best. Definitely not the film's strong point.

[number8]

Actually, I was confused by the SAG awards. How is Dev Patel a supporting actor in the film?

[chrisnu]

Actually, I was confused by the SAG awards. How is Dev Patel a supporting actor in the film?
He's a supporting actor in the same way that Casey Affleck was last year: not at all, he's just been marketed that way.

[Spinal]

Actually, I was confused by the SAG awards. How is Dev Patel a supporting actor in the film?

That is idiotic.

[Winston*]

Keisha Castle Hughes as supporting actress was the worst one.

[Watashi]

Keisha Castle Hughes as supporting actress was the worst one.
She was nominated for lead.

[Winston*]

She was nominated for lead.

Not at the SAGs.

[Boner M]

Um....so what? If there is one thing I can't stand, it's people assuming that all who like the same movie (or song or TV show) are a single entity with a hive mind, and thus what one fan does or says is a direct reflection of the mentality of that group.

EyesWideOpen speaks for himself. That is all.
Umm, I was speaking out against EWO's assertion that all the people who hate the film are a single entity with a hive mind. Especially since he'd made a similar post before claiming that he finds the backlash for the film 'hilarious'. I haven't seen him write anything of value on the film's virtues, whereas Nick (for instance) has efficiently elaborated on why it sucks, so it's simply irrelevant/insecure to lump all the film's detractors into one big ball of blind conformity.

And for the record, I didn't negrep EWO.

[DavidSeven]

Gotta love how the so-called "uplifting films" inspire the most derision, flaming, bickering, etc. among viewers while the "cynical films" are the ones that bring us together. Forget stories of hope; this country needs more emotionless killers with silly haircuts who embody the inevitable presence of evil in this world -- we'll be holding hands in no time.

[eternity]

Gotta love how the so-called "uplifting films" inspire the most derision, flaming, bickering, etc. among viewers while the "cynical films" are the ones that bring us together. Forget stories of hope; this country needs more emotionless killers with silly haircuts who embody the inevitable presence of evil in this world -- we'll be holding hands in no time.It's not an issue of uplifting or cynical, it's an issue of good movie and crappy one. Crappy films get so much leniency because of how "uplifting" they are, it's getting ridiculous.

[DavidSeven]

Crappy films get so much leniency because of how "uplifting" they are, it's getting ridiculous.

Some would argue that these films are only considered "crappy" by virtue of being uplifting (hipster nihilism ftw).

[eternity]

Some would argue that these films are only considered "crappy" by virtue of being uplifting (hipster nihilism ftw).
They tend to be much lazier films that substitute substance for cliches and uninspired tried-and-true narrative structure. Great "uplifting" films exist, but the standards seem to be lower for them than films that are more "cynical".

[DavidSeven]

Well, you could say the cynical films actually have it easier because they don't have to overcome as many established cliches. Given that a huge majority of films are actually "happy," a cynical film is closer to being original by being cynical in itself. A happy or uplifting film has to do a lot more work to set itself apart.

Anyway, does it even matter? Good work is good work. I see no reason to handicap one or the other.

[eternity]

Well, you could say the cynical films actually have it easier because they don't have to overcome as many established cliches. Given that a huge majority of films are actually "happy," a cynical film is closer to being original by being cynical in itself. A happy or uplifting film has to do a lot more work to set itself apart.

Anyway, does it even matter? Good work is good work. I see no reason to handicap one or the other.
That is basically what I was getting at too, yeah, I agree.

[number8]

Speed Racer was the happiest movie of the decade. It inspired bickering too.

[Derek]

Some would argue that these films are only considered "crappy" by virtue of being uplifting (hipster nihilism ftw).

Armond White ftw!

[transmogrifier]

Armond White ftw!

No it all breaks down because White despises Slumdog and Danny Boyle to the very core of his being.

[NickGlass]

Well, you could say the cynical films actually have it easier because they don't have to overcome as many established cliches. Given that a huge majority of films are actually "happy," a cynical film is closer to being original by being cynical in itself. A happy or uplifting film has to do a lot more work to set itself apart.

Anyway, does it even matter? Good work is good work. I see no reason to handicap one or the other.

Can't we all just agree that "bittersweet" films are the best?

[Duncan]

From Reverse Shot's collection of the the year's "best" quotes:
-“Kill them! They are Muslims!” —The only line of subtitled contextualizing dialogue during the massacre scene at the beginning of Slumdog Millionaire

[Derek]

No it all breaks down because White despises Slumdog and Danny Boyle to the very core of his being.

So he temporarily handed the torch over to David7 to carry on the crusade against hipster nihilism? Or does this make Armond a hipster nihilist himself since disliking this film clearly puts you in that category? It's all so confusing.

[DavidSeven]

Or does this make Armond a hipster nihilist himself since disliking this film clearly puts you in that category? It's all so confusing.

He's probably just launching his crusade against post-Obama hipster optimism. Post-9/11 hipster nihilism is so Summer 2008.

[Spinal]

From Reverse Shot's collection of the the year's "best" quotes:

Such a cheap shot. The line was uttered in the middle of a riot and heard from a child's point of view. Completely appropriate for the circumstances.

[eternity]

Speed Racer was the happiest movie of the decade. It inspired bickering too.
Absolutely.

[Duncan]

Such a cheap shot. The line was uttered in the middle of a riot and heard from a child's point of view. Completely appropriate for the circumstances.

Fair enough. But I still laughed.

Who is this Tandan, btw?

[Wryan]

Fair enough. But I still laughed.

Who is this Tandan, btw?

I giggled when I heard it in the theatre. Would have been awesome if someone in the movie said, "Oh shit! They know we're Muslims!"

[Wryan]

Also, Patel and Pinto are so goddamned adorable at all this shit they are getting to go to, it's hard not to think on the film with at least a little fondness.

[Spinal]

Who is this Tandan, btw?

The person credited as co-director. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1010048/)

[number8]

Also, Patel and Pinto are so goddamned adorable at all this shit they are getting to go to, it's hard not to think on the film with at least a little fondness.

Maybe, but Kapoor is bugging me.

[Raiders]

Maybe, but Kapoor is bugging me.

Indeed. Though he annoyed me in the movie, too.

[Qrazy]

Hrm yeah, I agree with the detractors, this was a really bad film. It's crapness is compounded by the fact that the actors and technical staff certainly have talent, they just chose to employ that talent in order to create cloying drivel.

[megladon8]

My grandparents saw this the other day.

They didn't like it because it had "too many Indians". :|

[Wryan]

My grandparents saw this the other day.

They didn't like it because it had "too many Indians". :|

No Apocalypto or The New World for them, then.

[Derek]

My grandparents saw this the other day.

They didn't like it because it had "too many Indians". :|

Hipster nihilists!

[transmogrifier]

I predict I will like this better than The Wrestler.
I also predict I won't see either of them until around 2015, the rate my movie watching is going.

[Fezzik]

I went in expecting...well, not much, frankly.

But I liked it. It's not the best movie of the year, in my opinion, but I liked the story it told and the actors did well.

The beginning, with all its unexplained cross-cutting, put me off at first but after a while, I bought into the story.

Decent movie. Very unique in its execution.

Movie - 7/10

Frieda Pinto - 10/10 (seriously...she's got to have the most beautiful face I've ever seen).

[Wryan]

I went in expecting...well, not much, frankly.

But I liked it. It's not the best movie of the year, in my opinion, but I liked the story it told and the actors did well.

The beginning, with all its unexplained cross-cutting, put me off at first but after a while, I bought into the story.

Decent movie. Very unique in its execution.

Movie - 7/10

Frieda Pinto - 10/10 (seriously...she's got to have the most beautiful face I've ever seen).

Yeah she's gorgeous. I'm pretty sure at least one of Ebert's stars was invisbly for her.

[NickGlass]

Yeah she's gorgeous. I'm pretty sure at least one of Ebert's stars was invisbly for her.

Wait, he's praising superficial beauty now? I thought he only liked when gorgeous actresses deglammed.

[Watashi]

I didn't see anything superficial about Frieda's beauty. That's all natural.

[NickGlass]

I didn't see anything superficial about Frieda's beauty. That's all natural.

A gorgeous, yet flat, character/performance = superficial beauty. Frieda in Slumdog Millionaire is a textbook example.

[Boner M]

I still can't believe Pinto got a BAFTA nom. That's like the being-stomped-to-death-in-the-moshpit equivalent of all this misbegotten Dumbslog fever.

[number8]

Ooo, gossip. Frieda Pinto's a bitch:


SLUMDOG Millionaire beauty Freida Pinto has ditched her fiancé because of her new-found fame, News Of The World reports.

Stunning Freida, 24, told gutted Mumbai PR agent Rohan Antao she could not be with him and be a world-renowned actress at the same time.

She had kept Rohan-her sweetheart from university-a secret from the media during her meteoric rise to stardom.

He has gone to ground since she told him it was over but pals say he is "devastated" at losing the girl he thought he was marrying.

One close friend said: "It's been a terrible time for him. One minute they were getting married, the next it was all over."

The couple met at St Xavier's College, Mumbai, where Freida studied English and Rohan chemistry. The pal said: "They were really into each other."

Rohan then became boss of a small PR firm, and last year proposed while Freida was filming the Oscar-nominated movie with British director Danny Boyle.

Welcome to Hollywood. True or not, this is going to be you.

[Boner M]

Freida Pinto is a worthless human being.

[Ezee E]

Freida Pinto is a worthless human being.
:)

[Qrazy]

So basically she wouldn't have run off with Slumdog if he hadn't won the million. Cunt.

[Ezee E]

So basically she wouldn't have run off with Slumdog if he hadn't won the million. Cunt.
Pretty much.

[Boner M]

And there goes Slumdog's best picture chances!

[Qrazy]

And there goes Slumdog's best picture chances!

You know what's annoying? If and when it wins, and it probably will, some asshole is going to say... It was written.

[Boner M]

You know what's annoying? If and when it wins and it probably will some asshole is going to say... It was written.
Someone should find a brokenhearted pic of her fiancé and caption it with that phrase.

too far?

[chrisnu]

And there goes Slumdog's best picture chances!
I wish.

[Qrazy]

Someone should find a brokenhearted pic of her fiancé and caption it with that phrase.

too far?

Too soon.

[number8]

So basically she wouldn't have run off with Slumdog if he hadn't won the million. Cunt.

It does put the ending in perspective. Imagine if he'd gotten the answer wrong.

"You know, I'm glad you're here, but... Y'know, I wish you didn't take my brother's cellphone."
"Oh, really? Why is that, Jamal? Huh?"
"I'm just saying! He would've known the right answer."
"Oh, I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Jamal, for ruining your millions. I'm sorry I'm such a dumb girl. Why don't you know the answer?"
"Look, come on now. All I'm saying is, if you don't know the answer, why pick it up? I could've called my peoples at the phone company, you feel me? That's all!"
"You know what? I don't know. I don't even know anymore."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, Jamal."
"No, I think you should tell me to my face. What was that attitude?"
"I don't know the answer to that, either. Maybe you could use a lifeline."
"All right, that's it. You ain't getting none of my winnings. You hear? You ain't getting shit! Best believe that! We're done!"
"My winnings, my winnings. You say that like you earned that shit. You're just a chai walla who can't do anything right. Hell, you had a chance to win money out of sheer luck and you still couldn't do that right. And you want to dump me? Slumdog, please."
"You think it was luck? You think I got that far from freakin' luck?!"
"What else would it be?"
"It was written!"
"It was written?"
"Yeah, it was written. And you know what else was written? The Three Musketeers. But oooooh! You didn't read it. What a surprise."
"I'm going back to hooking."

[Qrazy]

It does put the ending in perspective. Imagine if he'd gotten the answer wrong.

"You know, I'm glad you're here, but... Y'know, I wish you didn't take my brother's cellphone."
"Oh, really? Why is that, Jamal? Huh?"
"I'm just saying! He would've known the right answer."
"Oh, I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Jamal, for ruining your millions. I'm sorry I'm such a dumb girl. Why don't you know the answer?"
"Look, come on now. All I'm saying is, if you don't know the answer, why pick it up? I could've called my peoples at the phone company, you feel me? That's all!"
"You know what? I don't know. I don't even know anymore."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, Jamal."
"No, I think you should tell me to my face. What was that attitude?"
"I don't know the answer to that, either. Maybe you could use a lifeline."
"All right, that's it. You ain't getting none of my winnings. You hear? You ain't getting shit! Best believe that! We're done!"
"My winnings, my winnings. You say that like you earned that shit. You're just a chai walla who can't do anything right. Hell, you had a chance to win money out of sheer luck and you still couldn't do that right. And you want to dump me? Slumdog, please."
"You think it was luck? You think I got that far from freakin' luck?!"
"What else would it be?"
"It was written!"
"It was written?"
"Yeah, it was written. And you know what else was written? The Three Musketeers. But oooooh! You didn't read it. What a surprise."
"I'm going back to hooking."

I love how scriptwriters are now meta-textualizing contrivance. It was written! What was written? The pat ending of the film by the scriptwriter Simon Beaufoy! How did he know how to end his screenplay? It was written! In a novel, by Vikas Swarup originally entitled Q and A. How did Swarup conceive his novel? It was written! By Horatio Alger over a century ago and confirming beyond a shadow of a doubt that after 150 years vacuous garbage still sells extraordinarily well.

[NickGlass]

I missed my train last week and was forced to wait an hour for the next while my buzz wore off, so I went to the bookstore and stumbled upon "Q & A." I read bits and pieces--totaling about 75 pages--including the complete last two chapters. This project, in my eyes, was doomed from the start. It's such a horrendous, poorly written novel.

[Benny Profane]

Just got back from this movie. It was garbage.

[NickGlass]

Oh Walter Chaw, you charmer. (http://www.filmfreakcentral.net/screenreviews/gomdog.htm)

[Qrazy]

Just got back from this movie. It was garbage.

Here. Here.

[Rowland]

Oh Walter Chaw, you charmer. (http://www.filmfreakcentral.net/screenreviews/gomdog.htm)I used to be a huge Chaw supporter, but I've been conflicted over the last year or so as his taste has grown increasingly predictable and questionable.

[Boner M]

If Boyle and screenwriter Simon Beaufoy were contemporaries of Leni Riefenstahl, rest assured they would have made a happy-go-lucky triumph of the will piece starring the involuntary residents of Auschwitz in the world's most inappropriate game of "You Bet Your Life".
I mean, I didn't like the movie, but geez.

It's also obvious that Chaw spent a month since SM's release working on this review. Dude's worthless.

[Benny Profane]

Don't know if it was mentioned yet or not as I only skimmed through the thread, but the symbolism:

of Salim "burying" himself by the money he so lusted after and then saying "God is great" as he died (wtf)

was by far the worst moment of the film out of many potential candidates.

[Benny Profane]

By the way, does anyone think a question about a main character's name in one of the most famous books ever written is a bit too easy for the million dollar question?

[number8]

By the way, does anyone think a question about a main character's name in one of the most famous books ever written is a bit too easy for the million dollar question?

I had a hard time buying that. It was so goddamn easy.

Of course, when that came up, literally four or five people around me in the theater (including the friend I brought) started whispering "D'artagnan, duh!"

*facepalm*

[Qrazy]

By the way, does anyone think a question about a main character's name in one of the most famous books ever written is a bit too easy for the million dollar question?

Does it matter? The film was shit on so many possible levels what's one more?

[Benny Profane]

Does it matter? The film was shit on so many possible levels what's one more?

It was a make or break moment in the film for me. (please, note the intense sarcasm)

[lovejuice]

Of course, when that came up, literally four or five people around me in the theater (including the friend I brought) started whispering "D'artagnan, duh!"


how i weep for humanity. of course, the correct answer is Dantès.

[number8]

how i weep for humanity. of course, the correct answer is Dantès.

Um, what? I thought it was Raphael.

[jesse]

By the way, does anyone think a question about a main character's name in one of the most famous books ever written is a bit too easy for the million dollar question? Um, that's taking it as a given that English-language literature is well-known in 01) non-English speaking countries and 02) among a population that I'd imagine has an unbelievably high illiteracy rate.

I mean, I'm often stunned in Jeopardy! when contestants miss what I feel are stunningly basic questions about Biblical characters and stories. And that's supposed to be the most well-known book in existence! One the other hand, despite having a degree in literature I wasn't 100% sure which was the right answer in the film.

[Qrazy]

Um, that's taking it as a given that English-language literature is well-known in 01) non-English speaking countries and 02) among a population that I'd imagine has an unbelievably high illiteracy rate.

I mean, I'm often stunned in Jeopardy! when contestants miss what I feel are stunningly basic questions about Biblical characters and stories. And that's supposed to be the most well-known book in existence! One the other hand, despite having a degree in literature I wasn't 100% sure which was the right answer in the film.

According to the film it's taught in their grade school.

[jesse]

According to the film it's taught in their grade school. Sure, but I find even that a problematic explanation, as I can't imagine that class material is nearly as standardized as it is in many Western countries (at least among those attended by the most poor), how rigorously attendance can be enforced, or, considering the classroom depicted, I don't think it's a stretch to say that it'd be quite easy to get away with not paying attention for extended periods of time.

Not that I know any of these things as facts, but frankly I doubt anybody else contributing to this conversation really does either.

[number8]

My main problem with that final question, which diminishes the believability, is the obviousness of it. There are harder questions before it, which would make more sense as the final question, but since the film made a big deal about The Three Musketeers having a significance in their childhood, that of course has to be the last question. That's what bothered me most, that coupling of skepticism and cheese.

Which, I suppose as with every other weak thread in the film, can be explained with "it is written."

[Qrazy]

Sure, but I find even that a problematic explanation, as I can't imagine that class material is nearly as standardized as it is in many Western countries (at least among those attended by the most poor), how rigorously attendance can be enforced, or, considering the classroom depicted, I don't think it's a stretch to say that it'd be quite easy to get away with not paying attention for extended periods of time.

Not that I know any of these things as facts, but frankly I doubt anybody else contributing to this conversation really does either.

There's no reason not to assume a semi-standardized curriculum. Whether or not the kids pay attention is entirely besides the point. The point is that in the world of the film the million dollar question is a question any grade school student apparently ought to know.

[Qrazy]

My main problem with that final question, which diminishes the believability, is the obviousness of it. There are harder questions before it, which would make more sense as the final question, but since the film made a big deal about The Three Musketeers having a significance in their childhood, that of course has to be the last question. That's what bothered me most, that coupling of skepticism and cheese.

Which, I suppose as with every other weak thread in the film, can be explained with "it is written."

By Horatio Alger.