Saw two great movies in TC at the State Theater yesterday - the first was a 25 cent matinee of The Wizard of Oz, which I have always wanted to see on the big screen. The second was a new independent film directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting), Slumdog Millionaire. Slumdog is the story of a young man, Malik, who grows up in the streets of Mumbai and, inexplicably, ends up on the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Suspected of cheating, he is picked up by the police who interrogate him. As the story interweaves seamlessly between his past, the game show, and his interrogation, we learn how he learned the answers to the questions as well as a broader picture of who Malik is. Unlike his opportunistic brother, he refuses to give in to the darkness with which he is surrounded. Malik is not playing for money, but for his lost love, Latika. How will he win? Is it luck, love, passion, or destiny?
This is without a doubt the must-see movie of the year. It is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. It perfectly captures the culture without ever feeling like a National Geographic special or a one of those dark, cerebral Oscar-contender-wanna-be's. Boyle even throws in a little Bollywood to add a touch of fun. Oh yeah, and the soundtrack is totally awesome!
You can read/listen to Bob Mondello's review on NPR here.
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