Slumdog Millionaire: Oscars 2009

Slumdog MillionaireIt started out simply as a critic favorite- a small Fox Searchlight feel-good gem no different than Little Miss Sunshine or Juno from years earlier. Now just weeks later it is the favorite pick for Oscar night, raking up awards wherever it goes- Golden Globes, Critics' Choice, BAFTAs, on and on and on. Slumdog Millionaire has taken the movie world by force and shows no intentions of slowing down before Oscar night.

Jamal (Dev Patel) is a contestant on India's Who Wants to be a Millionaire who due to his low societal status is accused of cheating his way through the game. In reality, Jamal's knowledge of the answers is less about intelligence and more about destiny- the events of his life explain his knowledge of all of the questions as he competes to not gain the money prize, but rather reconnect with his eternal childhood love, Latika.

Played by three different actors at different ages, the audience watches as Jamal, his brother Salim, and the orphaned Latika survive in Mumbai. Don't be too fooled by the flashy game-show set because Boyle's film throws you right into the violence in Mumbai that is absolutely chilling. As Jamal reflects back on his life and all of the events that lead him to the answers, it is gruesome and heartbreaking. In addition, despite being advertised as a rags-to-riches story of destined love, perhaps even more emphasized is the relationship between brothers Salim and Jamal, and the complex concept of eternal family love and the different and flawed forms that can take.

With no big-name actors to sell the seats, this unknown cast rose to the occasion. While Patel has been up for a few awards, Madhur Mittal as the adult Salim portrayed the most complicated character in the film and deserves more recognition for his achievements. As the brother of the "good guy" Jamal, it is Salim who exposes the effects a dangerous environment can do on an innocent person and the efforts that it then takes to try and find redemption while still struggling to survive.

In addition to visual mastery with stunning shots of the Indian setting, this film hands-down had the best soundtrack of the year. Nominated for two of the three Academy Awards for best original song, the soundtrack consists mainly of A.R. Rahman's addicting beats (with a notable appearance by M.I.A.'s mega-hit "Paper Planes" remixed) While some audience go-ers felt that the dance sequence at the end, featuring the Oscar nominated "Jai Ho," by contrast it seemed that it helped to end the film on an optimistic note while in the spirit of Bollywood film. 

It's a very heartwrenching film that deals with serious issues, however the film is laced with humor and optimism that makes this movie a favorite not only with critics, but audiences as well. Expect big things out of it on Oscar night.