Are critics caught in Slumdog hype?
Slumdog Millionaire: Film Review
A former Mumbai street kid takes part in India’s version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and, despite having no education, goes on an incredible winning streak. The show’s host, and the police, reckon he’s cheating, but in fact it turns out that each answer has played a part in young Jamal’s eventful life. How very convenient.
The first thing to say is that Slumdog Millionaire looks great. It’s stylishly shot by directors Danny Boyle and (his overlooked co-director) Loveleen Tandan, and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, and Mumbai makes a thrilling and colourful setting. But is it worthy of the blanket of plaudits it’s currently receiving? I’m not so sure.
The central concept of events in Jamal’s life matching, chronologically, the quiz show questions, is a contrivance perhaps more suited to a knockabout comedy than a sometimes gritty (and sometimes brutal) drama. There are also fundamental holes in the plot – for a start, it relies on the conceit that the Millionaire TV show is transmitted live, which is obviously not the case.
So why so many five-star reviews and award nominations? I dunno. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a decent film. But it’s by no means a great film. (I’m not sure it’s as good as Boyle’s previous movie about a kid magically coming into money, Millions.) It’s entertaining and rattles along a a fair old pace, but if Slumdog Millionaire sweeps up during the forthcoming awards season that doesn’t bode too well for the rest of this year’s offerings.
6/10
