According to Dictionary.com, an underdog is 1., a person who is expected to lose in a contest or conflict; 2., a victim of social or political injustice. With that in mind, if there is a word to describe the hero of British director Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire,” it is, without a doubt, this one.
“Slumdog Millionaire” chronicles the life of Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), a young man from the slums of Mumbai, who rises to exceed expectations and become a contestant on India’s version of the hit game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Accused of cheating, Jamal is immediately arrested and brutally interrogated until he decides to reveal just how he knew the answers.
With brilliant use of flashbacks, the audience is taken through Jamal’s traumatic life where he and his older brother Salim (Madhur Mittal) and their young female friend Latika (Freida Pinto) are growing up, resorting to trivial crimes in order to escape Mumbai’s appalling poverty. As they enter adolescence, their crimes grow in intensity, ultimately resulting in their separation.
Jamal’s story is masterfully told in such a way that movie-goers will feel a wide range of emotions as they witness Jamal growing up, losing everything, coming close to death, and falling in love. It is clear that by the time Jamal is on the game show, he has learned what truly matters in life.
This film was comprised of an ensemble of virtually unknown actors and actresses, both young and old. Together, the cast manages to bring about a display of novelty and vigor. All the children gave outstanding performances; the actors who played Jamal, Latika, and Salim at three different ages provided exceptional performances.
Patel in particular gives a staggeringly mature performance, especially opposite Anil Kapoor, the shady game show host. The duo performs exquisitely, the scenes between them are riveting and enthralling as they perform a dangerous mental game against each other.
Boyle explores a foreign culture and effortlessly transports the audience into the characters’ troubled lives. Using a dazzling range of colors and techniques, the filmmaking is revolutionary and crisp, easily an eye-catcher. Ending with a Bollywoodesque pop number, this is the best of both worlds, an unusual hybrid of films which draws on the finest of Indian and Hollywood traditions.
“Slumdog Millionarie” is rated R and currently playing at Hollywood Theaters and Cinemark Mall del Norte.